Father Jack P. Hanlon (1913- 1968) Les Gendarmes Oil on board, 37 x 45cm (14.5 x 21.25'') Provenance: The Frederick Gallery ''A Private Collection'', December 2001 where purchased by present...
Father Jack P. Hanlon (1913- 1968) Les Gendarmes Oil on board, 37 x 45cm (14.5 x 21.25'') Provenance: The Frederick Gallery ''A Private Collection'', December 2001 where purchased by present vendor Les Gendarmes is a whimsical work. Three blue-clad gendarmes are shown in three different poses. The central figure is looking out of the work. All three are wielding batons in a seemingly threatening manner, which is not usually found in Fr. Hanlon's oeuvre. What are they doing? The background is made up of vertical panels of red and white and gives no clue tot he location of the action. It has been suggested that the background colours and the blue of the uniforms represent the French flag. Could the three gendarmes be defending the State? The work is outlined by two vertical and one horizontal row of dots, which are reminiscent of stage lights. Are we looking at a theatrical performance here? Fr. Hanlon may indeed be playing with his audience, displaying his sense of humour. The work is undated, but an oil painting entitled ''Gendarmes'' was included in Fr. Hanlon's solo exhibition at the Victor Waddington Galleries in Dublin in September 1950. In May 1955 at an exhibition of the artist's works in Waterford Books in Waterford City there was an oil painting entitled ''Les Gendarmes''. These two may be one and the same painting and may also be the present work. Mary Reilly, November 2005
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