The Finishing Touch by James Brenan. (click on image to enlarge) UPDATE; IT MADE 22,000
James Brenan RHA (1837-1907) was headmaster at the School of Art in Cork. Emigration – one again a timely issue in recession torn Ireland – was a subject that captured his imagination in the 19th century. It is the theme of this 1876 work in a farmhouse setting.
Entitled The Finishing Touch, it tells the story of a young woman on the eve of her departure for America. Her father takes centre stage. The title refers not only to his hand on the emigrant’s box, but also to the painter completing work on the green box on which the words O’Connor, New York can be deciphered.
This picture was exhibited in the year it was painted at the Royal Hibernian Academy. It features at Whyte’s Irish and British art sale at the RDS in Dublin on March 14. The work is estimated at 15,000-20,000.
UPDATE IT SOLD FOR 22,000