John Bellany RA, The Pianist Entertains, 1987.
Oil on canvas. 1716 mm x 1515 mm x 35 mm. © Royal Academy of Arts. © Photo: Royal Academy of Arts, London. Photographer: Prudence Cuming Associates Limited.
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The Pianist Entertains, 1987
John Bellany RA (1942 - 2013)
RA Collection: Art
Being born into a family of fishermen and brought up as a strict Calvinist in the village of Port Seton, near Edinburgh have both had a profound effect on Bellany’s art in terms of subject matter and as a constant reminder of the frailty of human existence. This became more personal during the time The Pianist Entertains was painted as Bellany was seriously ill and only survived thanks to a life-saving operation in 1988.
Bellany’s work includes many autobiographical references. In the top left corner he includes a detail of a fishing boat, the Star of Bethlehem, in reference to his childhood.The theme of fate is also explored. The characters play a game of cards, a game of luck, and the two visible cards are the Ace of Hearts a symbol of love, and the Ace of Clubs, which resembles a celtic cross and thus symbolizes virtue.
Object details
1716 mm x 1515 mm x 35 mm
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