Bidding on this item has ended.
Louis le Brocquy
STUDY TOWARDS AN IMAGE OF JAMES JOYCE, 1981
Lot 21
Price Realised:
€25,500
Estimate:
€10,000 - €15,000
Louis le Brocquy HRHA, 1916-2012
STUDY TOWARDS AN IMAGE OF JAMES JOYCE, 1981
Watercolour, 23 1/2" x 17 1/2" (59.7 x 44.4cm), signed and dated Dublin, November 10 1981.
Provenance: Gifted by the artist.
Louis le Brocquy, one of the most...
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Lot 21
Louis le Brocquy
STUDY TOWARDS AN IMAGE OF JAMES JOYCE, 1981
Lot 21
Louis le Brocquy
STUDY TOWARDS AN IMAGE OF JAMES JOYCE, 1981
Estimate:
€10,000 - €15,000
Louis le Brocquy HRHA, 1916-2012
STUDY TOWARDS AN IMAGE OF JAMES JOYCE, 1981
Watercolour, 23 1/2" x 17 1/2" (59.7 x 44.4cm), signed and dated Dublin, November 10 1981.
Provenance: Gifted by the artist.
Louis le Brocquy, one of the most esteemed Irish artists of his generation, had for many years been preoccupied with the human head, drawn to the Celtic idea of the head being a magic box that held the spirit. From the mid-1970s the artist's focus shifted from an abstract approach to the depiction of specific people. He made numerous studies of the giants of Irish literature, including Beckett and WB Yeats, but with James Joyce standing out among these.
Recognising the futility of trying to do a definitive static portrait, he studied a vast number of photographs, even looking at Joyce's death mask, "trying to discover an image underlying the ever-changing external appearance of the man". In his watercolour studies, like this one, the transparency and fluidity of the medium allows tantalising glimpses of Joyce, who seems to hover below the surface.
Dr Frances Ruane HRHA, March 2022
STUDY TOWARDS AN IMAGE OF JAMES JOYCE, 1981
Watercolour, 23 1/2" x 17 1/2" (59.7 x 44.4cm), signed and dated Dublin, November 10 1981.
Provenance: Gifted by the artist.
Louis le Brocquy, one of the most esteemed Irish artists of his generation, had for many years been preoccupied with the human head, drawn to the Celtic idea of the head being a magic box that held the spirit. From the mid-1970s the artist's focus shifted from an abstract approach to the depiction of specific people. He made numerous studies of the giants of Irish literature, including Beckett and WB Yeats, but with James Joyce standing out among these.
Recognising the futility of trying to do a definitive static portrait, he studied a vast number of photographs, even looking at Joyce's death mask, "trying to discover an image underlying the ever-changing external appearance of the man". In his watercolour studies, like this one, the transparency and fluidity of the medium allows tantalising glimpses of Joyce, who seems to hover below the surface.
Dr Frances Ruane HRHA, March 2022
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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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