Orpen’s view of ‘a time of debauchery’ in Venice for auction.

After the Ball guiding €140,000-€180,000 at de Vere’s as part of ‘outstanding Irish art’ sale, which is online only with viewings daily at the gallery on Kildare Street in Dublin, ends Tuesday, November 23rd 2021. Starting Bid €70,000. SOLD for €310,000.

‘After the Ball’ by Sir William Orpen (1878-1931).

Oil on canvas (53 x 41 inches) depicting masked and caped couples just outside a building.

Signed lower left “Orpen”.

Provenance: Daniel B. Grossman Inc. at 1100 Madison Avenue, New York.

Exhibition labels attached to stretcher, Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, partial label cat#233 ? year “After the Ball” second label #271 “After the Ball” “W. Orpen”, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1927.

Cobbs Auctioneers Peterborough USA 7th Aug 2021.

 Estimate: $20,000 – $30,000.

Price Realised: $60,000 = $72,000 with premium (€45,000 Euro). And 3 months later it sells in Dublin for €310,000!

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Studies for the painting (pictures below are not in the auction).

After the Ball study by William Orpen.

A second study by William Orpen (both in private collection).

Sir William Orpen at work in his Chelsea studio by James Sleator R.H.A. (1886–1950). Note the masked figurines on the dresser behind Orpen. Possibly owned by Sir Hugh Lane or given to Orpen by him. 

Study for After the Ball by William Orpen (Royal Academy of Arts).

 

Following text excerpt from the Irish Times 6th Nov 2021.

For the cover Rory Guthrie, director of the house, has chosen After the Ball by one of the greatest war artists, Sir William Orpen.

In contrast to the death and decay that surrounded him capturing the anguish and agony of the first World War, the theme of this painting was lost on its viewers when it was first exhibited. It was the centrepiece of so-called British Art in Pittsburgh at the Carnegie International Exhibition and remained in the US until its current repatriation, according to art historian Professor Kenneth McConkey.

Carnival

Though first described as “bits of fun” and drawing the crowds, it may have been its size that first caught the attention of reviewers. In fact, what is on display inside its 5ft x 4ft frame is a post Carnival scene in Venice, where, in a moonlit courtyard after the ball, masked and costumed aristocrats are preparing for a night of assignations with a woman.

First established in 1296, to placate the peasants and to allow a time of debauchery to balance the forthcoming austerity of lent, Carnival allowed princes and paupers to mix under the veil of masks and costume, with religion, sex and social status concealed.

Inspired by Roman Saturnalia, the most transgressive of acts came at sunset, and far beyond orgies and adultery came criminality – often murder – taking advantage of anonymity the festival allowed.

Though it was stopped for two centuries – initially by Napoleon in 1797 – until 1967, Orpen would have been familiar with and fascinated by the eroticism through his friend Charles Conder, who had produced the lithographs Carnival in 1905.  

“This and the Roderic O’Conor pieces have great presence, as they were painted as showcase works for exhibition, and represent major works for these artists,” according to Guthrie, who has set an estimate of €140,000–€180,000 for what he terms the “National Gallery standard” of After the Ball.

Post by Dominic Lee – Orpen Research Archives.