25
Harry Kernoff RHA (1900-1974)
Estimate:
€5,000 - €7,000
Sold
€5,000
Live Auction
Important Irish Art
Size
27.50 by 31.50in. (69.9 by 80cm)
Description
Title: NUDE
Frame dimensions: 31 by 35in. (78.7 by 88.9cm)
Note: As a student at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art in the 1920s, Harry Kernoff would have spent a significant amount of time in the life room, drawing from the nude model under the tutelage of Seán Keating and Patrick Tuohy. Although best known today for his city and townscapes, and his depiction of Dublin most particularly, as a student Kernoff honed his skills as a draughtsman, producing a range of well-drawn and modelled sketches. A collection of these is now in the National Gallery of Ireland, part of the large archive of works on paper donated by the artist's sister, Lena Kernoff, following his death in December 1974. Among these drawings are several works of a seated or reclining female nude, which may have informed the present work. Although this painting does not seem to have been exhibited during the artist's lifetime, another work titled A Nude Reflection was shown in the New Irish Salon in 1925. In the archival material also donated by Lena are the artist's photographic records of his paintings, including two images of nudes. One is possibly A Nude Reflection, showing the model with a large oval mirror, and another which closely resembles the present work. It is undoubtedly the same model and pose, and a later inscription on the reverse notes that it was painted around 1925, in the 'School of Art' on Kildare Street. There are slight differences, including the addition of the book on the right-hand side, and the decorative patterning on the left, suggesting that Kernoff either altered the canvas after it was photographed, or made more than one version - a common feature of his practice. Kathryn MilliganFebruary 2024
Frame dimensions: 31 by 35in. (78.7 by 88.9cm)
Note: As a student at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art in the 1920s, Harry Kernoff would have spent a significant amount of time in the life room, drawing from the nude model under the tutelage of Seán Keating and Patrick Tuohy. Although best known today for his city and townscapes, and his depiction of Dublin most particularly, as a student Kernoff honed his skills as a draughtsman, producing a range of well-drawn and modelled sketches. A collection of these is now in the National Gallery of Ireland, part of the large archive of works on paper donated by the artist's sister, Lena Kernoff, following his death in December 1974. Among these drawings are several works of a seated or reclining female nude, which may have informed the present work. Although this painting does not seem to have been exhibited during the artist's lifetime, another work titled A Nude Reflection was shown in the New Irish Salon in 1925. In the archival material also donated by Lena are the artist's photographic records of his paintings, including two images of nudes. One is possibly A Nude Reflection, showing the model with a large oval mirror, and another which closely resembles the present work. It is undoubtedly the same model and pose, and a later inscription on the reverse notes that it was painted around 1925, in the 'School of Art' on Kildare Street. There are slight differences, including the addition of the book on the right-hand side, and the decorative patterning on the left, suggesting that Kernoff either altered the canvas after it was photographed, or made more than one version - a common feature of his practice. Kathryn MilliganFebruary 2024
Condition
Some scratching visible on close inspection upper left. Some surface dirt visible. Otherwise good condition.
Medium
oil on board
Signature
signed lower left; inscribed [for sale £1,000, 1979] on label on reverse
