Daniel O'Neill (1920-1974)
Barmaid
Oil on canvas, 51 x 61cm (20 x 24")
Signed

Romantic in tone, Barmaid is not unlike other figurative works, Early Morning and Matador from the late 1940

Daniel O'Neill (1920-1974)
Barmaid
Oil on canvas, 51 x 61cm (20 x 24")
Signed

Romantic in tone, Barmaid is not unlike other figurative works, Early Morning and Matador from the late 1940s. The models dress, hairstyle, Jewelry, painted nails and cherry red lipstick suggest a date after the War. From 1947,

hair was worn shoulder length, soft, curled and swept away from the face. The Barmaids dress also suggests the romantic age; trim waist, full skirt and rounded shoulders.

 

In 1948, ONeill traveled to Paris for six months and viewing works by Utrillo and Vlaminck his works in his solo exhibition in 1949 at Waddingtons gallery contain a Parisian influence. The palette in Barmaid is reminiscent of Utrillos Parisian urban scenes and the interior of the bar captures the mood and atmosphere of nightlife in bohemian Montmartre. ONeill has framed the central figure with the bars open window leading to two figures in the background. The sitters attractive appearance, pose and two empty wine glasses suggests an expectant romantic encounter or the barmaid may already be in conversation with the person whose wine glass is cut off at the picture plane.

 

Women feature throughout ONeills oeuvre and they can appear forlorn, stranded, abandoned or beautiful and serene. A sensitive man, ONeills subjects related to his own personal experience and ONeills life was not without personal difficulties during this period. The inclusion of a vase of flowers and a solitary rose held in the Barmaids hand could symbolize love and beauty while the figures in dim light may represent foreboding or unhappiness.

 

In 1945 Victor Waddington offered Daniel ONeill a gallery contract and ONeill held his first solo exhibition in the South Anne Street gallery in 1946. Waddington was friendly with Alfred Goodwin, who opened his gallery in Limerick in 1944 and Waddington arranged for George Campbell, Gerard Dillon and Daniel ONeill to exhibit their paintings in his gallery from 1946.

 

Karen Reihill

September 2015

 

 

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