THE auction of Important Irish Art at Whyte’s in Dublin on November 26 offers a broad selection including many contemporary works at very reasonable prices. The catalogue, which is on-line, lists 217 lots. The front cover is a 1945 oil by Jack B. Yeats entitled Against the Stream. One of a number of works by Yeats in the sale, it is estimated at 50,000-70,000. The main Yeats in the auction, The Comforter from 1952, is estimated at 150,000-200,000.
A colour inverted Aubusson tapestry by Louis le Brocquy entitled Adam and Eve in the Garden is estimated at 40,000-60,000. Given that Irish art did not perform spectacularly well at recent London sales at Sotheby’s and Bonhams there will be much interest in how major works fare at Whytes, as this is the first of three sales of important Irish art in Dublin in the next two weeks. The venue for the viewing and sale is Clyde Hall at the RDS.
UPDATE: The auction grossed over one million euro, with 75% of lots sold. le Brocquy’s Adam and Eve tapestry was the top lot. Over 250 bidders registered from the US, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, India, Switzerland, France, Great Britain and Ireland.
The Comforter by Jack B. Yeats at Whyte’s. (Click on image to enlarge). UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
Adam and Eve in the Garden by Louis le Brocquy at Whyte’s. (Click on image to enlarge). UPDATE: THIS MADE 70,000.