PRICES for Irish art at auction remain on the low side so there is plenty to tempt bargain hunters at Whyte’s first sale of 2012. The catalogue for Whyte’s sale on March 12, which will take place in Clyde Hall at the RDS, lists 271 lots. On the Courthouse Steps by Jack B. Yeats shows a vagrant resting on the steps of Naas Courthouse in Co. Kildare, his casual appearance in marked contrast to the classical formality of the building. The most expensively estimated lot in the sale is expected to make 90,000-120,000.
This is Whyte’s first sale of 2012. It contains work by a broad cross section of Irish artists, north and south. There is as well a work by Charles Edward Perugini, an Italian born British artist who married Charles Dickens daughter Kate in 1873. His Lovers in a Garden is estimated at 50,000-70,000. (UPDATE – IT MADE 48,000 in a sale that was over 70 per cent sold). The catalogue for the sale is on-line. Here is a small selection:
Jack Butler Yeats RHA (1871-1957) ON THE COURTHOUSE STEPS, 1946 (90,000-120,000) in orginal hand carved Waddington frame. Click on image to enlarge. UPDATE: THIS MADE 88,000.
James Humbert Craig RHA RUA (1877-1944) OWEN CARA, COUNTY DONEGAL, c.1926 (3,000-5,000). Click on image to enlarge. UPDATE: THIS MADE 6,400.
Thomas Snagg (1746-1812) VIEW OF CLONTARF CASTLE, 1805 (5,000-7,000). Click on image to enlarge. UPDATE: THIS MADE 9,000.
Markey Robinson (1918-1999) THE GREEN DOOR, CONNEMARA (500-700). Click on image to enlarge. UPDATE: THIS MADE 700.