114
106 Daniel O’Neill (1920-1974)
Carnival
Oil on board, 50 x 66cm (19¾ x 26”)
Signed, inscribed with title verso
Carnival
is a rare multi-figure composition painted by Daniel O’Neill, who seemed to
prefer the intensity of single figures and empty landscapes or the focused narrative of
pairs or small groups. It is also unusual in its largely celebratory mood as his work often
contained a sense of melancholy expressed more or less overtly.
There is little description of the wooded landscape that is bathed in an Arcadian golden
evening light, but the colourful hanging bunting reinforces the mood of the title and
this vibrancy is reflected in the group of figures beneath. Most of this group merge into
an undefined passage of irregular shapes and colours and the figures gradually become
more defined as the approach the foreground. The stylised faces and strangely timeless
costumes are typical of O’Neill, but the figure to the left of the group of revelers closest to
us is an intriguing counterpoint to the rest of the painting. Her dress and facial features
occur throughout O’Neill’s work and she is slightly set apart from the main group, while
occupying a crucial pictoral position. Her presence and mood inject a gentle note of
ambiguity and nostalgia into an otherwise lively and cheerful scene.
Dickon Hall
€8,000 - 12,000
