Bidding on this item has ended.
Hughie O'Donoghue
MEDUSA: HOLD
Lot 41
Result:
Not Sold
Estimate:
€18,000 - €24,000
Hughie O'Donoghue RA, b.1953
MEDUSA: HOLD (2005/2006)
Oil, mixed media on linen canvas, 41 1/2" x 61 1/2", (105 x 156cm), signed.
Provenance: Purdy Hicks Gallery, London (label verso) where purchased by the previous owner.
Hughie O'Donoghue'... Read more
Lot 41
Hughie O'Donoghue
MEDUSA: HOLD
MEDUSA: HOLD (2005/2006)
Oil, mixed media on linen canvas, 41 1/2" x 61 1/2", (105 x 156cm), signed.
Provenance: Purdy Hicks Gallery, London (label verso) where purchased by the previous owner.
Hughie O'Donoghue'... Read more
Lot 41
Hughie O'Donoghue
MEDUSA: HOLD
Estimate:
€18,000 - €24,000
Hughie O'Donoghue RA, b.1953
MEDUSA: HOLD (2005/2006)
Oil, mixed media on linen canvas, 41 1/2" x 61 1/2", (105 x 156cm), signed.
Provenance: Purdy Hicks Gallery, London (label verso) where purchased by the previous owner.
Hughie O'Donoghue's series of Medusa paintings were originally made for his major exhibition The Deep, the main show in the 2006 Galway Arts Festival. The title refers to Gericault's iconic painting, the Raft of the Medusa, in The Louvre. The Medusa was a French naval frigate that ran aground in the Mediterranean in 1816. The majority of the crew was set adrift on an improvised raft and most perished. The tragedy became a national scandal. O'Donoghue, fascinated by the experiences of ordinary people caught up historical events, has explored several instances of costly maritime disasters in the midst of conflict in both world wars, uses the Medusa as a symbol of such disasters. His model for the vessel is one he has used on several occasions, the wreck of the Plassy on Inis Oirr. It ran aground on a reef to the east of the island in the spring of 1960 in stormy seas. Fortunately, islanders helped the crew to safety and all survived. Just a couple of years later, the young O'Donoghue was taken by his father to see the wreck. It made an indelible impression on him: a vast monster from the deep. He pointed out that Gericault's gigantic painting was once on view in Dublin when the artist, disappointed at the lack of response in France, toured it to London, Edinburgh and Dublin, displaying it in a specially designed tent.
Aidan Dunne, March 2020
MEDUSA: HOLD (2005/2006)
Oil, mixed media on linen canvas, 41 1/2" x 61 1/2", (105 x 156cm), signed.
Provenance: Purdy Hicks Gallery, London (label verso) where purchased by the previous owner.
Hughie O'Donoghue's series of Medusa paintings were originally made for his major exhibition The Deep, the main show in the 2006 Galway Arts Festival. The title refers to Gericault's iconic painting, the Raft of the Medusa, in The Louvre. The Medusa was a French naval frigate that ran aground in the Mediterranean in 1816. The majority of the crew was set adrift on an improvised raft and most perished. The tragedy became a national scandal. O'Donoghue, fascinated by the experiences of ordinary people caught up historical events, has explored several instances of costly maritime disasters in the midst of conflict in both world wars, uses the Medusa as a symbol of such disasters. His model for the vessel is one he has used on several occasions, the wreck of the Plassy on Inis Oirr. It ran aground on a reef to the east of the island in the spring of 1960 in stormy seas. Fortunately, islanders helped the crew to safety and all survived. Just a couple of years later, the young O'Donoghue was taken by his father to see the wreck. It made an indelible impression on him: a vast monster from the deep. He pointed out that Gericault's gigantic painting was once on view in Dublin when the artist, disappointed at the lack of response in France, toured it to London, Edinburgh and Dublin, displaying it in a specially designed tent.
Aidan Dunne, March 2020
- Enquire
- View all lots by this artist
- How bidding works
Please note: You will require a deVeres account in order to bid. Please register via the website. Each lot will close numerically. If there is late bidding the time may be extended which could delay subsequent lots. The lots will start to close from 2.00pm on auction day, closing at 45 second intervals.
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.
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.
Sign-up to our auction alert
Signup for personalised Irish art recommendations, invitations to viewings and auctions, articles and more.