Pale horses from artist's pale palette

Some of the most attractive pictures by Letitia Marion Hamilton (1878-1964) are those in which the artist uses a pale palette…

Some of the most attractive pictures by Letitia Marion Hamilton (1878-1964) are those in which the artist uses a pale palette, restricting herself as much as possible to neutral tones. That is certainly the case with this work, called Work Horses in Farmyard and predominantly painted in shades of white, grey, soft pink and stone.

A regular exhibitor at the annual RHA show, Hamilton's oeuvre tends to divide into two sections: views of Ireland, especially the west, and work depicting Italy and Portugal. In both instances, it is evident that the strong light available in these places suited her style.

Carrying an estimate of £18,000-£22,000, the painting is likely to be the best performer at a sale being conducted by Morgan O'Driscoll at Cork's Vienna Woods Hotel on Monday, January 15th. Other pictures sure to prove popular with bidders are The Tram, Dublin, Nocturne by Harry Kernoff (£14,000-£17,000) and Raymond Kelleher's The Irish Fiddler (£1,800-£2,500). It begins at 7 p.m.