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, Irish, 1860-1940
Title
A Reclining Nude before a Mirror
Date1909
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions
54 x 74 cm
Credit LinePurchased, 1971 (Shaw Fund)
Object numberNGI.4038
Exhibition HistoryThe Irish Impressionists, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, 1984; Ulster Museum, Belfast, 1985

Roderic O'Conor, Barbican Art Gallery, London, 12 September - 3 November 1985; Ulster Museum, Belfast, 15 November 1985 - 18 January 1986; National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, 30 January - 8 March 1986; Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester, 14 March - 10 May 1986, no.46

Label TextO’Conor began painting the female nude after moving to Paris in 1904. This is a preparatory study for a picture in a private collection. A large mirror reflects the woman’s body and the windows behind her. This allows the artist to depict the reclining figure from two sides and also creates a sense of light and spatial depth. O’Conor’s use of warm mauve, lilac, yellow, and red tones in this intimate interior are undoubtedly influenced by the work of Pierre Bonnard. O’Conor owned two paintings and several prints by the French artist.