Reflections by Paul Henry. UPDATE: THIS MADE 150,000 AT HAMMER
Reflections by Paul Henry at Adams evening sale of Important Irish Art in Dublin on March 25 is enough to give us all pause for thought. The catalogue cover lot is not typical of Henry’s work. The focus of the painting is the lake.
Paul Henry is celebrated for his treatment of clouds, rapidly changing skies and the quality of light in the west of Ireland. Painted in the 1930’s Reflections is redolent of that Ireland then, but this work is different. The lake takes centre stage, the water dominates and the sky is a mere narrow band. In this particular artwork, estimated at €100,000-€150,000, you get a reflected sky. It shimmers on the lake surface.
From the photo realism of John Doherty to a volumetric composition by Mary Swanzy the 124 lots with estimates from €300 to €150,000 in this live and online auction hold a mirror to the many pathways that Irish artists have chosen to reflect their surroundings.
Cathedral, Semur by Mary Swanzy UPDATE: THIS MADE 40,000 AT HAMMER
Swanzy’s Cathedral Semur (€20,000-€30,000) displays the influence of Cezanne both in the colour scheme and the perspective. Everything moves upwards towards the 14th century gothic cathedral elevated above the town centre. The Maxol Family by John Doherty (€7,000-€10,000) is an acrylic on canvas with a set of blue petrol pumps on the side of the road, a once familiar scene now vanishing from our townscapes. As if to underscore this a second work by Doherty – titled Abandoned in Bantry – depicts a no longer in use red petrol pump abandoned at a derelict site. The acrylic on paper has an estimate of €1,500-€2,000.
Child Scarecrow/Falling Kite by John Shinnors (€10,000-€15,000) shows themes the Limerick artist has revisited and drawn inspiration from. The Sermon on the Mount by Evie Hone (€1,000-€1,500) is a watercolour from the estate of Leo Smith of the Dawson Gallery in Dublin. There are abstract works by William Scott and Felim Egan, landscapes by Frank McKelvey and Charles Lamb and the auction offers works in bronze by Melanie le Brocquy, John Behan and Imogen Stuart. The catalogue is online and bidding starts at 6 pm on Wednesday.
The Maxol Family by John Doherty UPDATE: THIS MADE 22,000 AT HAMMER