Lot 37 Sean Keating

Sean Keating PPRHA HRSA 1889-1977 STUDY FOR 'AN BEINSIN LUACHRA' (THE SONG OF THE BUNCH OF RUSHES) Charcoal and pastel, 21'' x 20 1/2''(53.2 x 52cm), signed. Provenance: Acquired by Louis and Yvonne Jammet, Paris; by descent to their dughter Raymonde Jammet; by family descent to the previous owner. Jammet's Restaurant occupied 46 Nassau Street, at the bottom of Grafton Street. It was the epitome of fine French dining, excellent wines and unparalleled service and was described by Vogue magazine as one of Europe's finest restaurants. It was also the place for the well-heeled locals, visiting dignitaries and stars of the day, including Noel Coward, Elizabeth Taylor, Bing Crosby and John Lennon. Louis Jammet was very good friends with frequent patrons Micheal MacLiammoir and Hilton Edwards, who frequently dined there with Gate Theatre founder Lord Longford. It was obviously one of their favourites as they made Louis Jammet a director of The Gate Theatre in 1964. Jammet's closed in 1967. The woman in this image, in traditional Connemara costume, can be understood to be Keating's idea of Irish beauty, beside a seafaring man, who hopes to become her suitor. There can be little doubt that there exists in this work the atmosphere of on-going courting. This was a study for 'An Beinsin Luachra', which was exhibited at The RHA in 1953 (price: £250). The title comes from an old Irish song which refers to the beauty, honor and virtue of true love, expressed as a meeting between two people.