Morgan O'Driscoll Irish & International Art Auction 29th April 2019

I rish & I nternational A rt M onday 29 th A pril 2019 at 6.00 pm 93 71 Rory Breslin (b.1963) Atlantic Mask signed and numbered A/P bronze - artist’s proof, aside from an edition of 3 88.5 x 41.5 x 24cm (34.75 x 16.25 x 9.5in) Provenance: Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner €6,000-€9,000 ($6,741-$10,112) (£5,084-£7,627) The only Ocean among the Irish river-heads, The Mask of the Atlantic is a slightly larger than life-size rendition of Edward Smyth’s River-God keystone depiction on the North-Eastern facade of Dublin’s Custom House. Intertwined with the Atlantic’s beard and hair, redolent of the undulating wave surges and breakers of the ocean, are dolphins and other sea creatures vigorously modelled with a considerable baroque energy. The resolute and classical visage has above it a diadem of pearls and many maritime references. Poseidon’s trident supports a crescent moon, symbol of the lunar influence on the tides. Navigational references complete the symmetry... to the left a binnacle with the word ‘Atlantic’ inscribed and to the right a compass card which can also be construed as a solar symbol with rays.