Bidding on this item has ended.
Reginald Gray
ADAM AND EVE
Lot 25
Price Realised:
€5,000
Estimate:
€6,000 - €9,000
Reginald Gray, 1930-2013
ADAM AND EVE
Tempera on wood panel, 48 1/4" x 21" (122.5 x 53.3cm), signed and dated '60; signed verso.
Provenance: The Caravan Gallery, New York, 1961 where purchased by Dr Norman Ortenreich, New York, by whom g...
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Lot 25
Reginald Gray
ADAM AND EVE
Lot 25
Reginald Gray
ADAM AND EVE
Estimate:
€6,000 - €9,000
Reginald Gray, 1930-2013
ADAM AND EVE
Tempera on wood panel, 48 1/4" x 21" (122.5 x 53.3cm), signed and dated '60; signed verso.
Provenance: The Caravan Gallery, New York, 1961 where purchased by Dr Norman Ortenreich, New York, by whom gifted to The Ortenreich Foundation for the Advancement of Science, New York.
Dr Norman Ortenreich (1922-2019) was a New York dermatologist and is considered to be the father of modern hair transplantation. Dr Ortenreich created the Clinique range of skincare products for the Estee Lauder Company in 1968. It quickly became and remains the bestselling skincare brand in the U.S. and is the crown jewel of the Estee Lauder brands. He founded the Ortenreich Foundation for the Advancement of Science in 1961.
Reginald Gray grew up on Grove Avenue, Blackrock, his father working in the Guinness laboratories. Aged 19 he took an artistic path when he exhibited at the Dublin Painters Gallery as part of the Dublin Atelier. Establishing a studio on Leeson Street, Gray encountered Irish artists including Patrick Swift and that friendship with Swift would have introduced Gray to international experiences and contemporaries, including Lucien Freud, which had a profound impact on him.
During his formative years Gray briefly attended The National College of Art and Design. Here he was taken under the wing of Cecil Ffrench Salkeld who housed Gray and helped hone his artistic talent. Gray also dated his daughter, Celia. Through NCAD and Salkeld, Gray became acquainted with a variety of Ireland's writers, painters, and musicians. An introduction to Alan Simpson, director of the Pike Theatre, resulted in work as a set and costume designer. Gray worked productions for the Pike Theatre, The Gate, The Gaiety and The Globe.
Gray's close relationship with the literary and theatrical community is reflected in his role of best man at the wedding of Brendan Behan to Beatrice, the daughter of Cecil Ffrench Salkeld. The wedding began at 7:30am in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook and continued to Kennedy's in Harold's Cross, Bewley's on Westmoreland Street and finishing in the Lincoln's Inn (and a rendition of the Culan by Behan).
Ireland's small and intertwined artistic community combined with the shackles placed on artistic expression led to Gray's decision to travel to London in 1957. In London Gray was immersed in the School of London, producing his own bohemian and figurative works. His first solo show took place in 1960 at the invitation of Eric Holder, principal of Abbott and Holder Gallery. The exhibition was well received and resulted in further shows at the gallery in 1961 and 1962. During 1961 Gray also had solo exhibitions at the Collectors Gallery, Portobello Road and the Caravan Gallery, New York, where lot 25 was purchased by Dr Norman Ortenreich.
His medium of choice was the use of egg tempera, which he began to use after arriving in London and which would continue for the remainder of his career. Alan Simpson, an acquaintance of Samuel Beckett, suggested Gray fly to Paris and paint the Irish playwright. On seeing the finished work in 1961, Beckett proclaimed - 'you had a bloody good look at me'. The portrait of Beckett was sold through deVeres in December 2020 for 20,000 to the National Gallery of Ireland, where the work now hangs.
ADAM AND EVE
Tempera on wood panel, 48 1/4" x 21" (122.5 x 53.3cm), signed and dated '60; signed verso.
Provenance: The Caravan Gallery, New York, 1961 where purchased by Dr Norman Ortenreich, New York, by whom gifted to The Ortenreich Foundation for the Advancement of Science, New York.
Dr Norman Ortenreich (1922-2019) was a New York dermatologist and is considered to be the father of modern hair transplantation. Dr Ortenreich created the Clinique range of skincare products for the Estee Lauder Company in 1968. It quickly became and remains the bestselling skincare brand in the U.S. and is the crown jewel of the Estee Lauder brands. He founded the Ortenreich Foundation for the Advancement of Science in 1961.
Reginald Gray grew up on Grove Avenue, Blackrock, his father working in the Guinness laboratories. Aged 19 he took an artistic path when he exhibited at the Dublin Painters Gallery as part of the Dublin Atelier. Establishing a studio on Leeson Street, Gray encountered Irish artists including Patrick Swift and that friendship with Swift would have introduced Gray to international experiences and contemporaries, including Lucien Freud, which had a profound impact on him.
During his formative years Gray briefly attended The National College of Art and Design. Here he was taken under the wing of Cecil Ffrench Salkeld who housed Gray and helped hone his artistic talent. Gray also dated his daughter, Celia. Through NCAD and Salkeld, Gray became acquainted with a variety of Ireland's writers, painters, and musicians. An introduction to Alan Simpson, director of the Pike Theatre, resulted in work as a set and costume designer. Gray worked productions for the Pike Theatre, The Gate, The Gaiety and The Globe.
Gray's close relationship with the literary and theatrical community is reflected in his role of best man at the wedding of Brendan Behan to Beatrice, the daughter of Cecil Ffrench Salkeld. The wedding began at 7:30am in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook and continued to Kennedy's in Harold's Cross, Bewley's on Westmoreland Street and finishing in the Lincoln's Inn (and a rendition of the Culan by Behan).
Ireland's small and intertwined artistic community combined with the shackles placed on artistic expression led to Gray's decision to travel to London in 1957. In London Gray was immersed in the School of London, producing his own bohemian and figurative works. His first solo show took place in 1960 at the invitation of Eric Holder, principal of Abbott and Holder Gallery. The exhibition was well received and resulted in further shows at the gallery in 1961 and 1962. During 1961 Gray also had solo exhibitions at the Collectors Gallery, Portobello Road and the Caravan Gallery, New York, where lot 25 was purchased by Dr Norman Ortenreich.
His medium of choice was the use of egg tempera, which he began to use after arriving in London and which would continue for the remainder of his career. Alan Simpson, an acquaintance of Samuel Beckett, suggested Gray fly to Paris and paint the Irish playwright. On seeing the finished work in 1961, Beckett proclaimed - 'you had a bloody good look at me'. The portrait of Beckett was sold through deVeres in December 2020 for 20,000 to the National Gallery of Ireland, where the work now hangs.
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PLEASE BID EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT.
In order to allow rival bidders the opportunity to respond to a late bid the following extensions will apply:
IF A BID IS RECEIVED WITHIN THE FINAL 45 SECONDS OF THE COUNTDOWN THE CLOCK WILL RESET TO 60 SECONDS.
At any point you can leave a maximum bid, representing the highest price you are prepared to pay for a particular lot. Bidding only advances when there is competition from a rival bidder. In that case the system bids on your behalf, only up to the maximum if required. All bids are relayed to you be email, along with notification if you have been outbid.
All maximum bids are confidential and not disclosed. The system will endeavor to purchase the lot for you for the least price. Bids are subject to buyer’s premium of 25% (incl vat), with no additional charges.
In the event of a tied bid, the preference will be given to the bid submitted first. The second bidder will receive immediate notification of being outbid.
PLEASE BID EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT.
In order to allow rival bidders the opportunity to respond to a late bid the following extensions will apply:
IF A BID IS RECEIVED WITHIN THE FINAL 45 SECONDS OF THE COUNTDOWN THE CLOCK WILL RESET TO 60 SECONDS.
At any point you can leave a maximum bid, representing the highest price you are prepared to pay for a particular lot. Bidding only advances when there is competition from a rival bidder. In that case the system bids on your behalf, only up to the maximum if required. All bids are relayed to you be email, along with notification if you have been outbid.
All maximum bids are confidential and not disclosed. The system will endeavor to purchase the lot for you for the least price. Bids are subject to buyer’s premium of 25% (incl vat), with no additional charges.
In the event of a tied bid, the preference will be given to the bid submitted first. The second bidder will receive immediate notification of being outbid.
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