There was a world record price for a Paul Henry at James Adam in Dublin this evening. The Potato Diggers sold for a hammer price of 400,000. It had been estimated at 250,000-350,000. It was bought by an Irish family living abroad. Five bidders chased the work, which went up from 120,000 in tens and twenties. Around the 320,000 mark a couple of bidders dropped out and two bidders chased it from 350,000 to 400,000. The previous record for a Paul Henry was a hammer price of 300,000 for The Turf Gatherer, part of the collection of Dr. J. B. Kearney sold at Adams in December 2007.
The other Paul Henry in the auction, a landscape with cottages sold for 130,000. In general bidding was good and there was a lot of interest in the Irish art on offer.
The Potato Diggers by Paul Henry at Adams. Click on image to enlarge.