HECTOR MCDONNELL RUA (B. 1947)

Title: Cannstatter Wasen, Stuttgart (2005)Medium: Oil on canvasSignature: Signed and Inscribed VersoProvenance: Solomon Fine Art Gallery, Dublin (Label Verso); Private CollectionExhibited: Hector McDonnell Solo Exhibition, Solomon Fine Art Gallery, Dublin, 18th May – 20th June 2006;FramedDescription:A large-scale, vibrant oil on canvas by celebrated Irish artist Hector McDonnell, capturing the bustling atmosphere of the Cannstatter Wasen festival in Stuttgart, Germany. Painted in 2005, the composition immerses the viewer in the heart of a traditional beer hall, with its richly adorned interior, jubilant crowd, and rhythmic repetition of glasses and figures. McDonnell’s mastery of colour and movement is evident in the detailed renderings of the figures, their expressions, and the festive ceiling decorations. This work exemplifies McDonnell’s painterly fluency and observational wit, blending realism with a lively, almost theatrical energy. The verso bears the artist’s inscription and date. Exhibited as part of the artist’s solo exhibition at Solomon Gallery, Dublin, in 2006. Image size: 92 x 61 cm. PICTURES AND PRINTS Tuesday 16th September 2025 20:10:00 Biography HECTOR MCDONNELL RUA (B. 1947) Hector McDonnell is one of Ireland’s most distinguished contemporary painters, known for his insightful figuration, architectural views, and satirical edge. Born in 1947 into the Antrim branch of the McDonnell family, Hector studied at Eton College and later at Oxford University before pursuing artistic training in Munich and Vienna. His work draws heavily on European traditions of realism and caricature, often focusing on social gatherings, cultural rituals, and the human condition. A member of the Royal Ulster Academy (RUA), McDonnell has exhibited widely across Ireland, the UK, and internationally, and his works are held in numerous public and private collections. His acute observational style and deft use of colour have made him a unique voice in Irish art.