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Norah McGuinness
BLACKBIRD AND GIRL IN A LANDSCAPE WITH COTTAGE
Lot 12
Price Realised:
€75,000
Estimate:
€20,000 - €30,000
Norah McGuinness HRHA, 1901-1980
BLACKBIRD AND GIRL IN A LANDSCAPE WITH COTTAGE
Oil on canvas, 28" x 20" (71.1 x 50.7cm), signed and dated 1961.
Note: This is McGuinness' Wicklow Cottage
Provenance: Collection of the artist's friend,...
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Lot 12
Norah McGuinness
BLACKBIRD AND GIRL IN A LANDSCAPE WITH COTTAGE
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Lot 12
Norah McGuinness
BLACKBIRD AND GIRL IN A LANDSCAPE WITH COTTAGE
Estimate:
€20,000 - €30,000
Norah McGuinness HRHA, 1901-1980
BLACKBIRD AND GIRL IN A LANDSCAPE WITH COTTAGE
Oil on canvas, 28" x 20" (71.1 x 50.7cm), signed and dated 1961.
Note: This is McGuinness' Wicklow Cottage
Provenance: Collection of the artist's friend, Joan Jameson and by descent to the current owner. Further works from the collection in the auction are lots 112-116.
Norah McGuinness was one of the pioneering women artists who looked outward towards European modernism at a time when inward looking conservatism was the prevailing attitude that shaped Irish art. Encouraged by Evie Hone and Mainie Jellett to study in Paris between 1929 and 1931, Norah McGuinness absorbed Cubism but soon adapted it to her own decorative, semi-abstract style.
The utterly delightful Blackbird and Girl in a Landscape has all the characteristics that we immediately identify with the artist: the shallow flattened space of Cubism, an underlying geometry and a crisp formal order strengthened by her use of strong dark outlines. This painting also shows how the artist softened the angularity of Cubism so that it's compatible with the irregular forms found in the Irish countryside. The starting point for this painting, the cluster of trees outside what seems to be the artist's Wicklow cottage, has been transformed into something new. The fact that this picture comes from the family of her good friend, the artist Joan Jameson, is testament to its quality.
The painting's compact composition fits together with interlocking shapes, having the satisfying effect of feeling 'just right', with all the parts working in unison. McGuinness restricts her palette to a harmonious range of blues and greens, electrified by the occasional splash of pink and orange. She finds patterns in nature, repeating shapes so that paintings like this one have an underlying beat or rhythm. The strong vertical lines of the tree trunks are the underlying 'beat', set against two melodic swirling curves at the centre of the composition. The picture is airy, filled with luminous dappled light, but anchored by cottage, bird and girl. McGuinness captures the idyllic delight of a young girl watching a bird, and the power of nature to entrance us all.
Dr Frances Ruane HRHA
October 2023
BLACKBIRD AND GIRL IN A LANDSCAPE WITH COTTAGE
Oil on canvas, 28" x 20" (71.1 x 50.7cm), signed and dated 1961.
Note: This is McGuinness' Wicklow Cottage
Provenance: Collection of the artist's friend, Joan Jameson and by descent to the current owner. Further works from the collection in the auction are lots 112-116.
Norah McGuinness was one of the pioneering women artists who looked outward towards European modernism at a time when inward looking conservatism was the prevailing attitude that shaped Irish art. Encouraged by Evie Hone and Mainie Jellett to study in Paris between 1929 and 1931, Norah McGuinness absorbed Cubism but soon adapted it to her own decorative, semi-abstract style.
The utterly delightful Blackbird and Girl in a Landscape has all the characteristics that we immediately identify with the artist: the shallow flattened space of Cubism, an underlying geometry and a crisp formal order strengthened by her use of strong dark outlines. This painting also shows how the artist softened the angularity of Cubism so that it's compatible with the irregular forms found in the Irish countryside. The starting point for this painting, the cluster of trees outside what seems to be the artist's Wicklow cottage, has been transformed into something new. The fact that this picture comes from the family of her good friend, the artist Joan Jameson, is testament to its quality.
The painting's compact composition fits together with interlocking shapes, having the satisfying effect of feeling 'just right', with all the parts working in unison. McGuinness restricts her palette to a harmonious range of blues and greens, electrified by the occasional splash of pink and orange. She finds patterns in nature, repeating shapes so that paintings like this one have an underlying beat or rhythm. The strong vertical lines of the tree trunks are the underlying 'beat', set against two melodic swirling curves at the centre of the composition. The picture is airy, filled with luminous dappled light, but anchored by cottage, bird and girl. McGuinness captures the idyllic delight of a young girl watching a bird, and the power of nature to entrance us all.
Dr Frances Ruane HRHA
October 2023
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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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