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Reginald Gray
GIRL AT SCREEN
Lot 98
Result:
Not Sold
Estimate:
€600 - €900
Reginald Gray, 1913-2013
GIRL AT SCREEN
Tempera on board, 39 1/2" x 27 3/4" (100.4 x 70.5cm), signed and dated 1961 (MCMLXI).
Provenance: The Caravan Gallery, New York, 1961 where purchased by Dr Norman Ortenreich, New York, by whom gift...
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Lot 98
Reginald Gray
GIRL AT SCREEN
Lot 98
Reginald Gray
GIRL AT SCREEN
Estimate:
€600 - €900
Reginald Gray, 1913-2013
GIRL AT SCREEN
Tempera on board, 39 1/2" x 27 3/4" (100.4 x 70.5cm), signed and dated 1961 (MCMLXI).
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.
After briefly attending NCAD under the tutorage of Cecil Ffrench Salkeld, Reginald Gray's artistic career began as a set and costumedesigner at the Pike Theatre. He maintained a close relationship with Ireland's literary and artistic circles, having the role of best man at the wedding of Brendan Behan and Beatrice Ffrench Salkeld. At his studio on Leeson Street, Gray encountered artists such as Patrick Swift, who would have introduced Gray to international experiences and contemporaries such as Lucien Freud, which would had a profound impact on Gray as a portrait artist.
Gray moved to London in 1957 andhis first solo show took placed 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.
Gray is perhaps best known for his portraiture of celebrities and cultural figures, in particular Samuel Beckett and Francis Bacon. 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. It was in London that Gray began to paint in egg tempera, the medium of choice for the remainder of his career. During his sitting for Gray, Francis Bacon joked that the painting was bacon and eggs. The resulting portrait was acquired in 1962 through Abbott and Holder by Aubrey Beese who subsequently donated the piece to the National Portrait Gallery, London in 1975. Grays portrait ability is reflected in the trust placed in him by two of Irelands greatest artists, both of whom were naturally inclined to eschew the sitters chair.
From London Gray travelled to Paris where he spent the remainder of his life painting portraits of various sitters.
GIRL AT SCREEN
Tempera on board, 39 1/2" x 27 3/4" (100.4 x 70.5cm), signed and dated 1961 (MCMLXI).
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.
After briefly attending NCAD under the tutorage of Cecil Ffrench Salkeld, Reginald Gray's artistic career began as a set and costumedesigner at the Pike Theatre. He maintained a close relationship with Ireland's literary and artistic circles, having the role of best man at the wedding of Brendan Behan and Beatrice Ffrench Salkeld. At his studio on Leeson Street, Gray encountered artists such as Patrick Swift, who would have introduced Gray to international experiences and contemporaries such as Lucien Freud, which would had a profound impact on Gray as a portrait artist.
Gray moved to London in 1957 andhis first solo show took placed 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.
Gray is perhaps best known for his portraiture of celebrities and cultural figures, in particular Samuel Beckett and Francis Bacon. 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. It was in London that Gray began to paint in egg tempera, the medium of choice for the remainder of his career. During his sitting for Gray, Francis Bacon joked that the painting was bacon and eggs. The resulting portrait was acquired in 1962 through Abbott and Holder by Aubrey Beese who subsequently donated the piece to the National Portrait Gallery, London in 1975. Grays portrait ability is reflected in the trust placed in him by two of Irelands greatest artists, both of whom were naturally inclined to eschew the sitters chair.
From London Gray travelled to Paris where he spent the remainder of his life painting portraits of various sitters.
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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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