Letter from Gerard Dillon to Madge containing sketches

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Description

Handwritten letter from Gerard Dillon to Madge of 26 Lower Clonard Street. It is written on the reverse of the front cover of a leaflet titled Ulster in Black & White. The letter has been written in two parts as Dillon writes he had forgotten to finish it in August. The letter also contains 11 sketches in ink made by Dillon depicting people of the Aran Islands with titles such as "Funeral on Inishmore", "Village Pub Kilronan Aran" and "They are always riding about on donkeys". He discusses his preparations for upcoming exhibitions and his time on the Aran Islands. He writes he is extremely busy creating work for a continental exhibition in Dublin, CEMA Art Gallery in Belfast, Irish Living Art Exhibition, Campbell's Snackery in Donegal Square and an exhibition in Stranmillis, and hopes to make preparatory sketches on the Aran Islands for future work. He mentions he has formed [Progressive Painters Group also known as Progressive Group] alongside George Campbell, Daniel O'Neill and John Turner. The second half of the letter he outlines all the works he had sold and their price. He discusses in great detail about his time on the Aran Islands and its "natural almost primitive life" such as swimming cows to boats, exploring the rocky landscape and meeting the Aran Island actress Maggie [Dirrane] (The Man of Aran, 1934). World War II is mentioned in small ways such as his prayers that Madge will be unhurt from the "doodlebugs".

Creator

Dillon, Gerard, 1916 - 1971

Related topics

Dillon, Gerard, 1916 - 1971