Who painted The Irish Question?

The Irish Question was painted by De Scott Evans in 1884.

Where can I see The Irish Question?

The Irish Question is held by Art Institute of Chicago.

What movement is The Irish Question?

The Irish Question is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of The Irish Question?

Museum-quality prints of The Irish Question are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Irish Question

De Scott Evans , 1884

The Irish Question is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist De Scott Evans. It dates from 1884 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The work is an oil painting on canvas that depicts two potatoes suspended from a single string against a wooden backdrop.

Accession no.: 181777
Credit line: Purchased with funds provided by Carol W. Wardlaw and Jill Burnside Zeno; Roger and J. Peter McCormick Endowment Fund

About this work

You see two potatoes hanging from a string against a wood panel. The title "The Irish Question" suggests a connection to the troubles of the Irish in the late 19th century. This connection adds a layer of meaning to the simple image of potatoes.

The artist used a technique to create a realistic image, similar to what you'd see with the technique of chiaroscuro.

Overview

The work is an oil painting on canvas that depicts two potatoes suspended from a single string against a wooden backdrop. Rendered in a trompe‑l’oeil manner, the composition creates the illusion that the tubers are physically hanging in space, inviting the viewer to question the reality of the surface.

Subject & Meaning

The title links the modest still‑life to the sociopolitical climate of late‑nineteenth‑century Ireland, a period marked by agitation over land, famine memory, and national identity. By presenting the staple crop in a seemingly trivial manner, the image can be read as a subtle commentary, either a grim reminder of hardship or a wry, darkly humorous gesture toward the “Irish Question.”

Technique & Style

Executed with meticulous brushwork, the artist employs strong chiaroscuro to model the potatoes, giving them a three‑dimensional presence against the flat wooden panel. The precise rendering of light, shadow, and texture exemplifies the trompe‑l’oeil tradition, where visual deception is achieved through careful observation of material qualities.

History & Provenance

Signed with the pseudonym “S.S. David,” the painting is attributed to the American genre painter De Scott Evans, who frequently used aliases for works that diverged from his usual subjects. The use of a false name suggests an intention to obscure authorship, enhancing the work’s enigmatic character and inviting viewers to solve its layered puzzles.