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Aloysius C. O’Kelly (1850-1929) ENTERING THE GATE signed lower right oil on canvas 51 by 36cm., 2...

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Aloysius C. O’Kelly (1850-1929) ENTERING THE GATE signed lower right oil on canvas 51 by 36cm., 2...
Aloysius C. O’Kelly (1850-1929)
ENTERING THE GATE
signed lower right
oil on canvas
51 by 36cm., 20 by 14in.
Aloysius O’Kelly did a series of desert scenes, including On the Arabian Desert,
On the Desert, Arab Caravan on the Move and, one of the most important works of
his entire output, the Harem Guard. Sketchier in finish than the highly polished
Harem Guard, Entering the Gate includes the two forward figures on the camel and
horse from the left of the completed painting, and is clearly a preliminary
work. The caravan through the desert and the harem guard are classic orientalist
subjects. From such paintings, it is evident that O’Kelly was familiar with the
work of Gérôme, Girardet and Guillaumet. The compositional echoes are
unmistakable. The Harem Guard is composed on a diagonal axis. One of the leading
warriors in the front carries a lance and wears a musket slung across his back;
the horse-back rider beside him rides a horse with a colourful fringed livery of
tassels. It is these two figures who feature in Entering the Gate.
Dr Niamh O’Sullivan
NCAD, October 2003
€10,000-€12,000 (£7,000-£8,400 sterling approx.)