John Bellany

Celtic Marriage

1978

Not on display

Artist: John Bellany 1942–2013
Medium: Oil paint on canvas
Dimensions: Support: 2540 × 1270 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Purchased 1979
Reference: T02333

Catalogue entry

T02333 CELTIC MARRIAGE 1978

Inscribed ‘J. Bellany’ b.l.
Oil on hardboard, 96 1/8 × 72 (244 × 183)
Purchased from the artist (Knapping Fund) 1979

‘Celtic Marriage’ is an oblique allusion to John Bellany and his wife Julia at the time of their marriage. The boat in the foreground is based on a model boat in the artist's possession made by his father. The picture was painted quickly, in about a week, at the artist's flat and studio at 43 Linden Gardens’, London WII at about the time of his second marriage.

Published in:
The Tate Gallery 1978-80: Illustrated Catalogue of Acquisitions, London 1981