The 1960s was a pivotal era for Pat Hanly. Having moved to London in the late 1950s with his wife Gil, he went on to paint his first major series of oil paintings, The Fire Series. It was the height of the Cold War; thus, these works can be seen as a personal response to the fearful socio-political climate, reflecting Hanly’s personal anxieties about nuclear conflict and human suffering. Hope of Paradise is a key work from this series, demonstrating Hanly’s ability to maintain faith in humanity despite this terrible subject matter. Lyrical brushwork and an Eden-like palette of greens and blues lends this piece an air of hope, distinctly calmer than other works from the series.