Irish-Australian artist Tate Adams (1922–2018)

Attributed to Irish-Australian artist Tate Adams (1922–2018), this striking symbolist work evoking Buddhist monks in saffron robes was possibly painted during Adams's time in Ceylon, whilst serving with the British Admiralty in 1943. Adams is said to have made friends with a Buddhist monk and the two painted and visited galleries together. Adams's Ceylon works were exhibited at his first joint exhibition, with Gerard Dillon, organised by the Council for the Encouragement of Music and Arts in 1949.

Adams is considered to be amongst the group of modern artists known as the Belfast Boys, alongside George Campbell, Gerard Dillon and Daniel O'Neill. Having studied at the Central School of Art in London, 1949–50, under Gertrude Hermes, he went on to become one of Australia's most acclaimed printmakers.