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125 BASIL IVAN RÁKÓCZI (1908-1979)Fish on a Plate
Gouache, 68 x 50cm (26¾ x 19½’’)
Signed
Provenance: Artist’s family by descent.
Fish on a Plate
was painted in January 1956 in Bd Jourdan, Paris, where Rakoczi was staying with a friend. He was waiting to move into his own
studio in Montrouge, which would become his home until his death in 1979.
This gouache reflects a continental influence on Rakoczi’s work and an awareness of, or nod to, post-war expressionism. It was one of many
gouaches he painted in these months, representing everyday objects, birds and fish. Perhaps this reflected a more grounded life coming his
way after years of moving around since he left Dublin. Fish and birds had also been recurrent themes in his and Kenneth Hall’s work in the
Dublin years.
Our thanks to Christopher Rakoczi, the artist’s grandson, for his help in cataloguing this lot.
€ 1,000 - 1,500