Norah O'Kelly (1886 - 1964), Sacred Pepal Tree, Calcutta, 1912

We were fortunate to have acquired a small number of pieces by this unheard of Irish artist, Norah O'Kelly. The little we know about her is from Adams' Salesroom in Dublin, who in 2023 sold one or two metal and enamel pieces by her.  These were made by her whilst still a student during the early years of the 20th century at the Metropolitan School of Art in Dublin. In 1914, she was one of a small number of Irish people to exhibit at an exhibition of British Arts & Crafts at the Louvre, with a picturial plaque entitled  An Aesop Fable.

We also know that she had four paintings in the RHA Exhibition of 1916 that were destroyed or damaged by fire. Prior to the outbreak of the first world war (1914-1918) she travelled to India where she workd as an art teacher. She sent the pieces back to Ireland from Calcutta, as they were described as 'four landscape views of India'. This piece, we wonder, could perhaps be one of the works that were smoke damaged, because there is a dark film over the painting. Perhaps a new owner will have it professionally cleaned and restored. 

20 x 28.5cm excluding frame. Artist's monogram (N.A.O.K.) bottom left. Titled on the rear. Oil on board, in original black hardwood frame. Sticker no "50" bottom left suggests it had been catalogued.   Like most of the artworks on this website, this piece is on display in our Clare Street shop.