This is a tongue in cheek play on contrasting the traditional with the contemporary. The background works are a Velasquez - ‘painting of a gentleman’. There is also one of Joe’s works of St Mark’s Cathedral, Venice.

In the foreground is the reference to the contemporary with Sniffy laid out on a plinth as a human sculpture, a nod to ‘Gilbert and George from the 60’s. Under Sniffy’s feet is a carefully placed cloth protecting the white platform. There are a series of items around him: a compote of green apples (summer fruits) an Ace of hearts (love) a book (learning) and a glass of wine, fruits of your labours. On the other plinths are his trusty companion, a cat keeping an eye on him and the other a bottle and wine glass.

The title ‘A fine Rose’ alludes to the general colour of the painting and the Rose wine. A little extra drama is added to the scene with the book and glass half perched on the plinth about to crash to the floor, just to break the silence.

Click here to view more contemporary paintings by Joe HARGAN.