Morgan O'Driscoll Irish & International Art Auction 12th November 2018

I rish & I nternational A rt M onday 12 th N ovember 2018 at 6.00 pm 89 74 Gerard Dillon (1916-1971) Hiding in Masks signed lower right oil and collage on board 45.75 x 38cm (18 x 15in) Provenance: Gifted to Arthur Armstrong by the artist; Thence by descent; These Auction Rooms, 2nd December 2013, Lot 47; Private Collection €5,000-€7,000 (£4,464-£6,250) A charming work by Gerard Dillon, restrained and gentle in atmosphere and registering the influence of Marc Chagall, whose im- portance he readily acknowledged, and even early Picasso. Rather than honestly communicating with each other, the title implies, the two individuals hide behind the masks of their costumes. But the unspoken tension between them is vividly conveyed. It could have an autobiographical subtext considering that he gave it to one of his close circle of artistic friends.