104
Rory Breslin (b.1963)
Estimate:
€8,000 - €12,000
Sold
€8,500
Live Auction
Irish & International Art
ARTIST
Rory Breslin (b.1963)
Size
27 by 17in. (68.6 by 43.2cm)
Description
Title: MASK OF THE LAGAN
Note: The present work is the penultimate 1st edition mask of the series. Dimensions of base: 10 by 10 by 10in.Positioned on the Northern entrance of the Custom House as part of the central group of three and to the right of the centred Lee, the Mask of the Lagan is an interpretation of Edward Smyth's river head. The Lagan presents a youthful and quite mischievous countenance, that is quite impish in terms of expression.The comparative youth of the face indicates the relatively young city of Belfast in the 1780s. The lightly bearded face is framed with folds of linen beneath the jaw and chin. It is crowned by two swans whose necks are intertwined, and some flowers and bullrushes complete with what appear to be some ornamental depictions of possibly waterlilies. The assumption is that the three heads adorning this section of the Custom House are emblematical of the rivers on which lie the major cities outside Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Belfast. Aside from the relative youth of the head, the depiction of linen underlines the identification of this piece as that of the River Lagan.There is speculation that the depiction of the swans has a connection with the legend of the Children of Lir and the time the children as swans spent in theNorth Channel or the Straits of Moyle. Some commentators believe this might be problematical as the story may not have been popularised as early asthe 1780s, but the essence of the story goes back many centuries, and there is good reason to believe that Smyth would have been aware of the legend,given his diligent research into the different characteristics of the other rivers depicted on the Custom House.
Note: The present work is the penultimate 1st edition mask of the series. Dimensions of base: 10 by 10 by 10in.Positioned on the Northern entrance of the Custom House as part of the central group of three and to the right of the centred Lee, the Mask of the Lagan is an interpretation of Edward Smyth's river head. The Lagan presents a youthful and quite mischievous countenance, that is quite impish in terms of expression.The comparative youth of the face indicates the relatively young city of Belfast in the 1780s. The lightly bearded face is framed with folds of linen beneath the jaw and chin. It is crowned by two swans whose necks are intertwined, and some flowers and bullrushes complete with what appear to be some ornamental depictions of possibly waterlilies. The assumption is that the three heads adorning this section of the Custom House are emblematical of the rivers on which lie the major cities outside Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Belfast. Aside from the relative youth of the head, the depiction of linen underlines the identification of this piece as that of the River Lagan.There is speculation that the depiction of the swans has a connection with the legend of the Children of Lir and the time the children as swans spent in theNorth Channel or the Straits of Moyle. Some commentators believe this might be problematical as the story may not have been popularised as early asthe 1780s, but the essence of the story goes back many centuries, and there is good reason to believe that Smyth would have been aware of the legend,given his diligent research into the different characteristics of the other rivers depicted on the Custom House.
Medium
bronze; (no. 1 from an edition of 3)
Signature
signed and editioned at top
