Lot 24: Gabriel Hayes (1909-1978) Peonies in Pewter Mug

Gabriel Hayes (1909-1978) Peonies in Pewter Mug Oil on canvas, 61 x 51cm (24 x 20'') Signed Exhibited: ''A Private Collection'', The Frederick Gallery, December 1999, where purchased by current owner Gabriel Hayes was born in Kildare and spent time travelling and studying in the USA and France before returning to Ireland and entering the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art. She is best remembered for her wonderful sculpture panels on the Department of Industry on Kildare Street which she worked on in situ, 23 metres from ground level suspended in a wooden cage. These sculptures are generally symbolic, representing themes connected with industry and commerce in general, but there are also some heads, one representing St Brendan as personifying navigation and another 'Eire' over the main entrance. From 1957, she began the life size Stations of the Cross for Galway Cathedral which took her twelve years to complete. During this time she also made designs for the new decimal coins and a series of medals. She worked in bronze, limestone and Portland stone but, although there are few examples, this work shows that she was extremely adept at painting with oils too. Here she skilfully captures the effects of sunlight on the hard reflective surface of the jug and tray, contrasted elegantly with the soft full blooms.