Paul Henry, R.H.A. (1876-1958)

After a period of personal difficulties during the late 1920s, when his palette increasingly revolved around dry, muted ochres and umbers, Henry's life became more settled in the early 1930s, notably after his visits to Glenbeigh in County Kerry in 1933 and 1934. His settled mood is reflected in his palette which is now brighter and the paint more fluid than hitherto. Turf Stacks which, judged stylistically, dates from circa 1934-40 - and most likely the earlier part of that period - was almost certainly inspired by the Kerry landscape. Henry found the scenery around Glenbeigh delightful. 'It is lovely. Wherever one turns there is material for dozens of pictures', he wrote to a friend in America. His good spirits at the time also reflected the encouraging economic outlook in Ireland where, he told his American confidant, things were 'brighter' than he had known them for some time.

We are very grateful to Dr Brian Kennedy for preparing this catalogue entry.