Lot 56
  • 56

Michael Cullen

Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Michael Cullen
  • Early Morning Light on white curtains with T. and friends
  • signed, titled and dated 01 (June) on the reverse
  • oil on canvas, unframed
  • 163 by 120cm.; 64 by 47½in.

Condition

Original canvas in excellent original studio condition with strong passages of impasto throughout. Unframed and ready to hang.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

The idea for the present work was conceived whilst the artist was painting in his studio in the very early hours of the morning and was visited by his son Tim and two friends 'on their way home after a late night frolic in the discos of Dublin's 'big city lights'' (Cullen, 2007). The impastoed white backdrop relates to the white calico curtains used in the studio at the time to defuse the intensity of the bright summer light and 'while the girl sits by herself, cut off by a yellow table, the friends are posed interlaced. Tim who plays the piano and is interested in musical composition, is making five-finger exercises on the table...' (Cullen, 2007).

After studying at the Central School of Art, London and the N.C.A.D., Dublin, Cullen spend a long period living and painting abroad in countries such as Spain, Morocco, Mexico, Germany, the U.S. and France. He has had solo exhibitions with galleries such as the Taylor Galleries, Dublin; the Fenderesky Gallery, Belfast and the Hendriks Gallery, Dublin and his work is held in all major Irish public collections including those of the Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin and the collections of the Arts Councils of Ireland and Northern Ireland.