Painting 1945

These prehistoric creations are Nolan's interpretation of engraved illustrations he happened upon in The World before the Deluge by Louis Figuier, published in 1865. This painting is a brightly coloured portrayal of plate XV 'Ideal scene of the Lias with Ichthyosaurus and Plesiosaurus' which Nolan later reproduced on the cover of Angry Penguins Broadsheet. Figuier ardently subscribed to the prevailing mood of rationalism and was a fanatical opponent of the romantic yet his illustrations display an element of the marvellous and exotic. It is these qualities which Nolan is fascinated by and find presence in his own fantastic vision.