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Aloysius O'Kelly , Irish, 1853-1936

Title

Interior of a Church in Brittany

Datec.1879

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions

49.5 x 35.5 cm

Signedlower right: Al. O'Kelly

Credit LinePurchased, 2006

Object numberNGI.2006.9

DescriptionThe setting for this picture is the pilgrimage church of Locmaria-en-hent in Saint Yvy, renowned for its stained-glass windows. Saint Yvy is located a short distance from Concarneau, the fishing port and celebrated artists’ colony to which O’Kelly first travelled in 1876. Young artists like him travelled to Brittany to immerse themselves in the lively artistic atmosphere that prevailed, indulge their curiosity regarding Breton society, and avail of the wealth of subjects the region offered. Villages and towns favoured by artists, like Concarneau, Douarnenez, Pont-Aven and Quimperlé, retained a strong Celtic identity, manifest in the Breton language, the costumes and religious customs, particularly the pardons (annual festivals). The proximity of the sea also offered artists the daily possibility of painting marine subjects.
O’Kelly appears to have painted this church on several occasions. Religious subjects, favoured for their pictorial potential as much as for their association with piety and/or superstition, featured among the work of several other Irish artists. O’Kelly has made sure to record accurately the young woman’s attire. Her distinctive headdress, or coiffe, was of particular importance as it signified commitment to tradition and constancy in a changing world, and indicated regional identity and even marital status.

March 2016

ProvenancePurchased, Sotheby's, London, May 2006, lot 17Exhibition HistoryProbably Leavitt Art Galleries, Broadway, New York, 1879
Label TextThe setting for this picture is the pilgrimage church of Locmaria-en-hent in Saint Yvy, renowned for its stained glass windows, which O’Kelly painted on several occasions. Saint Yvy is located a short distance from Concarneau, the fishing port and celebrated artists’ colony which O’Kelly first visited in 1876. Young artists travelled there to immerse themselves in the lively artistic atmosphere that prevailed, to indulge their curiosity regarding Breton society, and to avail of the wealth of subjects the region offered. O’Kelly made sure to record accurately the young woman’s attire.