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Important Irish Art
,
wednesday 1st April 2015 at 6pm
55
45
John Luke RUA (1906-1975)
Parthenon Horse
Watercolour, 50.8 x 69.2cm (20 x 27½”)
Signed
Provenance: Arches Gallery, Belfast, where purchased by Dr. Harry McKee and thence private collection.
This exceptionally fine work most likely dates from the artist’s student days at the Slade. Painted in delicate
sepia wash, it depicts a detail from the east pediment of the Parthenon (437-432 BC), acquired by the British
Museum from Lord Elgin in 1816.The horse depicted is one of four leading the goddess Selene’s chariot, sig-
nifying the break of day. Luke most probably studied the Selene horse whilst in London, although plaster casts
are also found in many academic collections, including that of the Crawford College of Art in Cork.
Dickon Hall
€3,000 - 5,000