Louis le Brocquy, H.R.H.A.

Yello Gallery, Kinsale, Co Cork;
Private collection thence descent to the present owner

The colour of this tapestry is very good and virtually identical on front and reverse. The white cotton selvedges on the left and right sides have been tucked behind the tapestry and overlocked to keep secure. The threads on the reverse have been left hanging. The tapestry is not lined. It has white Velcro attached across the top of the tapestry for hanging purposes.The reverse of the lower right corner has an official French authentication label attached, with title, measurements and number, and signed by both the artist, Louis Le Brocquy and the weaver, René Duché. There is also a small rectangular tab secured to the reverse which is woven with the number 1 / 1 and the weaver's mark RD. This tapestry is in very good condition. It is a very striking tapestry in composition, colouring and design, expertly executed with even weave and details with complimentary tonal colours. It is a versatile size, as it is not too large.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Le Brocquy first ventured into the medium of tapestry in 1948, having been invited to design tapestries by the Edinburgh Tapestry Weavers (alongside other artists who included Stanley Spencer and Graham Sutherland). It was to become a significant creative output in parallel with his painting, and he formed a highly successful collaboration with the Tabard workshop at Aubusson in France throughout his career.

Of the present example, le Brocquy wrote: 'I have named this tapestry after the great fifteenth century artist, Paolo Di Bono, better known as Uccello, whose painting Rout of San Romano I have admired since painting first interested me. I am still moved by its then adventurous perception of space and perspective, including that astonishing foreshortened figure lying in full armour under the horses' hooves. But yet another wonder which haunts me in this painting is the recurrent emergence of oranges, appearling like small suns from their dark foliage, very much as I saw them a little later, unbelievably exotic, blazing from their small trees on the sidewalks of the French frontier town of Menton in 1939' (quoted in Agnew's, Louis le Brocquy, Aubusson Tapestries, 2001, exhibition catalogue).