Patrick Hennessy RHA (1915-1980)
Sanctuary
Oil on board, 40 x 50cm (19¾ x 15¾'')
Inscribed artist's label verso

Patrick Hennessy returned home to Ireland from Scotland in 1939 and after...

Patrick Hennessy RHA (1915-1980)
Sanctuary
Oil on board, 40 x 50cm (19¾ x 15¾'')
Inscribed artist's label verso

Patrick Hennessy returned home to Ireland from Scotland in 1939 and after travel in France and Italy, he immediately commenced on a career as a full time artist. The painting 'The Sanctuary' dating from the early 1940's depicts a stone statue framed on each side by evergreen trees. The building in the background and the water feature, are features of Kilruddery, Co. Wicklow, an Elizabethan revival mansion and the home of the Earl's of Meath. The statue is placed in front of the end of one of the long canals where it dominates the full foreground, an air of decay is introduced by the crumbling wall and the invading briar, the colour is low key and muted, but the blue of the sky is reflected in the water brightening the painting. The statue is religious, possibly a saint rather than the Virgin Mary. The contraposto pose increases the effect of the dominance in the composition. The sleeveless arms and missing hands are thought provoking. Hennessy often introduced bizarre or cryptic elements in this type of painting particularly with statuary, e.g. 'The Oracle' from the National Gallery of Ireland's collection. Early Hennessy's were often bordering on the dreamlike or surreal. In this painting 'The Sanctuary' is being offered without hands.

 

Kevin A. Rutledge September 2016

View more View less