Lot 163: Father Jack P. Hanlon (1913-1968) CHURCH NEAR GRASSE, PROVENCE

signed lower right

h:13.25 w:17.25in.

watercolour

Adam's, 23 March 2005, lot 4;
Private collection

While studying for the priesthood in Maynooth College, where he was later ordained in 1939, Father Jack Hanlon took many trips to Europe taking in Spain, Belgium and France. It is likely that this work, situated in Grasse, corresponds with one of these early excursions where Hanlon paid visits to local galleries and cathedrals as well as spending time in the studio and company of native artists such as André Lhôte (1885-1962) in Paris. This work clearly illustrates the Place du Petit-Puy with the 10th to 11th century Notre-Dame du Puy Cathedral (which was rebuilt in the 17th century) and the large 18th century clock tower to the rear. The cathedral which houses paintings by Rubens and Jean-Honoré Fragonard would have been of immense interest to Hanlon.