Claude Francis Barry:
Elizabeth Castle at Sunset, 1945
Framed (ref: 11020)

Oil on board

 (cat 810)

Tags: Claude Francis Barry oil panel night scenes and sleep seascapes and skyscapes

Provenance: Acquired by the present owner from the Artist’s estate

Elizabeth Castle is a castle and tourist attraction, on a tidal island within the parish of Saint Helier, Jersey. Construction was started in the 16th century when the power of cannon meant that the existing stronghold at Mont Orgueil was insufficient to defend the Island and the port of St. Helier was vulnerable to attack by ships armed with cannon.

It is named after Elizabeth I who was the queen of England around the time the castle was built.

Barry's lifelong exploration of the French Pointillist technique - separating colours into dots which form vibrant tones across the picture surface - make him one of the key exponents of this style in 20th century British Art. In his paintings of the First and Second World Wars, with their trademark searchlights over London, he created a powerful cycle of works, whose poignancy was transformed into joy in his subsequent glorious firework paintings celebrating the end of hostilities. In this example Barry has playfully used the patterned surface of the board to synthesis the effect  of his pointlilist technique.