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Louis le Brocquy
NO.24, WOMAN
Lot 6
Price Realised:
€25,500
Estimate:
€15,000 - €20,000
Louis le Brocquy HRHA, 1916-2012
NO. 24, WOMAN
Oil on canvas, 21 1/2" x 15 1/4" (54.2 x 38.4cm), signed and dated '57.
Provenance: Gimpel Fils Gallery, London; Private Collection.
No. 24, Woman was painted at the very start of an important tr... Read more
Lot 6
Louis le Brocquy
NO.24, WOMAN
DVTV Click Here To View VideoNO. 24, WOMAN
Oil on canvas, 21 1/2" x 15 1/4" (54.2 x 38.4cm), signed and dated '57.
Provenance: Gimpel Fils Gallery, London; Private Collection.
No. 24, Woman was painted at the very start of an important tr... Read more
Lot 6
Louis le Brocquy
NO.24, WOMAN
Estimate:
€15,000 - €20,000
Louis le Brocquy HRHA, 1916-2012
NO. 24, WOMAN
Oil on canvas, 21 1/2" x 15 1/4" (54.2 x 38.4cm), signed and dated '57.
Provenance: Gimpel Fils Gallery, London; Private Collection.
No. 24, Woman was painted at the very start of an important transitional period in le Brocquy's career. In 1957 he made a dramatic move away from the linear narrative approach that marked his early work, towards making abstract pieces of uncompromising simplicity. Le Brocquy's interest in the torso coincided with a time when the painter Ann Madden, whom he married in 1958, had been suffering from severe spinal injuries. The torso theme evolved so that, like this one, it embodied a subtle eroticism.
Always interested in the human condition, these paintings search for an abstract concept of humanity that goes beyond the identification of physical features. As in this painting, the artist's focus was on the figure, though from 1964 onwards this shifted to a preoccupation with the human head.
Le Brocquy described himself a kind of archaeologist who penetrates the surface of the canvas to see what will emerge. In this painting he is searching for a more general sense of human presence, the essence of "being" that hovers below the surface. The figure seems to be slowly revealing itself but just at the point when the features begin to solidify, the artist lets go again. It tempts the poetic imagination of the viewer: suggesting and hinting rather than describing. The surface of this painting is seductive—ethereal at the edges, becoming denser at the core. The constant play between opaque and transparent elements gives the work a luscious fluidity that appeals to the senses.
Dr Frances Ruane HRHA
October 2021
NO. 24, WOMAN
Oil on canvas, 21 1/2" x 15 1/4" (54.2 x 38.4cm), signed and dated '57.
Provenance: Gimpel Fils Gallery, London; Private Collection.
No. 24, Woman was painted at the very start of an important transitional period in le Brocquy's career. In 1957 he made a dramatic move away from the linear narrative approach that marked his early work, towards making abstract pieces of uncompromising simplicity. Le Brocquy's interest in the torso coincided with a time when the painter Ann Madden, whom he married in 1958, had been suffering from severe spinal injuries. The torso theme evolved so that, like this one, it embodied a subtle eroticism.
Always interested in the human condition, these paintings search for an abstract concept of humanity that goes beyond the identification of physical features. As in this painting, the artist's focus was on the figure, though from 1964 onwards this shifted to a preoccupation with the human head.
Le Brocquy described himself a kind of archaeologist who penetrates the surface of the canvas to see what will emerge. In this painting he is searching for a more general sense of human presence, the essence of "being" that hovers below the surface. The figure seems to be slowly revealing itself but just at the point when the features begin to solidify, the artist lets go again. It tempts the poetic imagination of the viewer: suggesting and hinting rather than describing. The surface of this painting is seductive—ethereal at the edges, becoming denser at the core. The constant play between opaque and transparent elements gives the work a luscious fluidity that appeals to the senses.
Dr Frances Ruane HRHA
October 2021
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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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