Bidding on this item has ended.
Basil Blackshaw
THE SMOKER
Lot 34
Price Realised:
€9,500
Estimate:
€5,000 - €7,000
Basil Blackshaw HRHA, RUA, 1932-2016
THE SMOKER
Oil on canvas, 20" x 16" (50.7 x 40.6cm), signed.
Provenance: Acquired directly from the artist; From the estate of an Irish collector.
Basil Blackshaw hated pomposity, golfing types, garden cen... Read more
Lot 34
Basil Blackshaw
THE SMOKER
THE SMOKER
Oil on canvas, 20" x 16" (50.7 x 40.6cm), signed.
Provenance: Acquired directly from the artist; From the estate of an Irish collector.
Basil Blackshaw hated pomposity, golfing types, garden cen... Read more
Lot 34
Basil Blackshaw
THE SMOKER
Estimate:
€5,000 - €7,000
Basil Blackshaw HRHA, RUA, 1932-2016
THE SMOKER
Oil on canvas, 20" x 16" (50.7 x 40.6cm), signed.
Provenance: Acquired directly from the artist; From the estate of an Irish collector.
Basil Blackshaw hated pomposity, golfing types, garden centre types. The everyday person with little or no station in life other than existence, was his real focus.
Basil's contempt for the status driven society only encouraged him to gravitate more towards edge of society' individuals and most of the time a single individual such as 'The Smoker.' The harshness of life is written on this man's face, prey to, I suspect, hard labour, an outdoor life, made bearable only by a 'a fag' stuck constantly in his gob.
This conflict over status emerged many times in Basil's later works - Victor, Arthur and Trevor (2002), is a piss-take on three VAT inspectors. This was triggered by a VAT bill he received. He asked me "What is VAT Eamonn?" adding "I've dealt in a (rowl) roll of notes all my life."
The Medical Board (1998) reflects Blackshaw's contempt for order. He had to appear before this Board arising out of a little 'altercation' with the authors of the motoring laws. His revenge was to paint these guys as miserable little c….reatures tied to their seats daily between nine and five.
Basil's 'The Smoker' could be Basil himself, sitting on the edge of society and wishing only to be with people in that society of markets people, horse dealers, travellers and so on. I love the way Blackshaw literally 'hokes' the head out of the paint giving 'The Smoker' that sculptural feeling.
Eamonn Mallie
THE SMOKER
Oil on canvas, 20" x 16" (50.7 x 40.6cm), signed.
Provenance: Acquired directly from the artist; From the estate of an Irish collector.
Basil Blackshaw hated pomposity, golfing types, garden centre types. The everyday person with little or no station in life other than existence, was his real focus.
Basil's contempt for the status driven society only encouraged him to gravitate more towards edge of society' individuals and most of the time a single individual such as 'The Smoker.' The harshness of life is written on this man's face, prey to, I suspect, hard labour, an outdoor life, made bearable only by a 'a fag' stuck constantly in his gob.
This conflict over status emerged many times in Basil's later works - Victor, Arthur and Trevor (2002), is a piss-take on three VAT inspectors. This was triggered by a VAT bill he received. He asked me "What is VAT Eamonn?" adding "I've dealt in a (rowl) roll of notes all my life."
The Medical Board (1998) reflects Blackshaw's contempt for order. He had to appear before this Board arising out of a little 'altercation' with the authors of the motoring laws. His revenge was to paint these guys as miserable little c….reatures tied to their seats daily between nine and five.
Basil's 'The Smoker' could be Basil himself, sitting on the edge of society and wishing only to be with people in that society of markets people, horse dealers, travellers and so on. I love the way Blackshaw literally 'hokes' the head out of the paint giving 'The Smoker' that sculptural feeling.
Eamonn Mallie
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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.
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