19th Century Killarney davenport. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
This profusely inlaid 19th century Killarney davenport will highlight Aidan Foley’s three day sale in Killarney on November 25, 26 and 27. Described as a museum quality piece of rare Irish provincial furniture it is estimated at 30,000-50,000. Made of arbutus and yew wood it is inlaid with views of local beauty spots like Muckross Abbey, Ross Castle and Aghadoe, ferns and shamrocks.
It is one of several Killarney furniture pieces in the retirement auction on behalf of Pat O’Connor of Killarney Art and Antiques. More than 1,300 lots will come under the hammer.
Justin Fitzpatrick, A Musical Instrument, 2024, oil on linen, oak frame
The artist Justin Fitzpatrick is exhibiting at the Kerlin Gallery as part of the programme for Dublin Gallery Weekend. Dublin’s leading commercial galleries are presenting exhibitions by Irish and international artists with a varied and packed schedule of events across the city from November 8-10. An initiative of the Contemporary Art Gallery Association it will build on the inaugural edition in 2023. This exciting new fixture on the national visual arts calendar – a unique showcase of the Irish art scene – involves eleven galleries and is inspired by the success of similar gallery weekend events in cities including Berlin and London.
Mary Swanzy H.R.H.A. (1882-1978) South of France landscape
Some of the most significant female figures in Modernism in Ireland will feature in The Irish Sale: Vision & Voice online at Bonhams from November 26 to December 5. A collection of 20 works by Norah McGuinness will be offered without reserve and the auction features Mainie Jellett and Mary Swanzy who were among Ireland’s first abstract painters.
All three artists were pioneers of a national avant-garde and were strong supporters of modern art in Ireland. They all studied at Dublin’s Metropolitan School of Art and were widely travelled, influenced by the work of cubism, fauvism, symbolism and many of the modernist movements prevalent at that time. Their works are held in many prestigious collections both in Ireland and the UK. Jellett together with McGuiness co-founded the Irish Exhibition of Living Art in 1944 which was formed in opposition to the dominance of more traditional institutions such as the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) and the National College of Art in Ireland.
There is art by Sir John Lavery, Dan O’Neill and John Doherty along with historical artefacts, literature and design.
Kieran O’Boyle, Bonhams Head of Ireland and Northern Ireland commented: “We are delighted to be offering such a rich collection of works. Jellett, Swanzy and McGuiness were pioneers who blazed a trail for female artists and for Modernism in Ireland. Interest among collectors has increased significantly over the last 20 years for Irish women artists, reflecting the long-overdue recognition of their historical and cultural contribution to Irish art.”
PABLO PICASSO (1881-1973) – Femme et jeune garcon nus
A retrospective of Picasso will be among the highlights of next year’s programme at the National Gallery of Ireland. The gallery, in collaboration with the Musée Picasso national-Paris, will present Picasso: From the studio from October 11, 2025 to February 22, 2026. Picasso lived surrounded by his art. His personal life and his work, his homes and his studios were always intimately linked. This exhibition places Picasso in the context of his studios, highlighting the various facets and phases of his art and life. It will explore the key locations that defined him, from his arrival in Paris at the start of the twentieth century to his studio in Villa La Californie (1955-1961) in Cannes. It will feature paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and works on paper, as well as photographic and audio-visual works. Pictured here is a 1969 work on paper entitled Femme et jeune garcon nus which comes up at Christie’s 20th century evening sale in New York on November 19 with an estimate of $1 million – $1.5 million.
JACK BUTLER YEATS, R.H.A. (1871-1957) – O’Connell Bridge. UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £882,000
This painting by Yeats is among the highlights of the private collection of Alan and Mary Hobart comes up at Christie’s in London on November 19. The estimate is £400,000-£600,000. Their personal collection — at Farm Street, Mayfair and Cap Ferrat — bears witness to the Hobarts’ highly renowned expertise and discerning taste.
Sir William Orpen – Portrait of Evelyn St. George. UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £720,000
A dazzling portrait by an artist dazzled by his subject is among the leading lots at Sotheby’s Modern British and Irish art auctions in London on November 14 and 15.
Sir William Orpen’s portrait of Mrs. Evelyn St. George depicts his lover and the woman he was in love with for much of his life. They met around 1906 through family connections. The artist’s mother, formerly Annie Caulfield, was related to Howard St. George, an Irish land agent. Evelyn was an American millionaire, daughter of George Fisher Baker, president of the National Bank of America. He was considered to be the third richest man in America after Henry Ford and John D Rockefeller.
Evelyn was eight years older than Orpen and a foot taller. Both were married. Their relationship was long and enduring and they became known as little and large. She commissioned a number of portraits of herself. Orpen was known for his brilliant portraits of wealthy and fashionable members of Edwardian society. He was knighted in 1918 for his wartime service as an official war artist. A collection of his work is held at the Imperial War Museum in London.
Sotheby’s describe this painting as one of his greatest masterpieces of portraiture. Estimated at €720,000-€960,000 it is on display today and tomorrow at the RHA in Dublin alongside a collection of Irish artworks to be offered later this month in London.
George Mounsey Wheatley Atkinson – The Steam Yacht Victoria and Albert in Cork Harbour 1849. UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £45,600
The exhibit and sale will include maritime paintings by the Atkinson family of Cobh collected by the late Dr. Denis Wilson of Cork. All were exhibited at the Maritime Paintings of Cork exhibition by the Port of Cork at the Crawford Gallery in 2005. The White Squadron in Cork Harbour and The ironclad battleship Alfred in Cork Harbour by George Mounsey Wheatley Atkinson are each estimated at £8,000-£12,000 (€9,600-€14,400); The steam yacht Victoria and Albert in Cork Harbour, 1849 and Two Naval Ships at anchor in Plymouth by George Mounsey Wheatley Atkinson are each estimated at £7,000-£10,000 (€8,400-€12,000) and Three masted barque and two sailing ships at Queenstown by Richard Peterson Atkinson is estimated at £5,000-£7,000 (€6,000-€8,400).
Colin Middleton – The Piano Player UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
The Bathing Hour, Lido, Venice by Sir John Lavery is estimated at €720,000-€960,000 and the auction will include two works by Gerard Dillon and art by Colin MIddleton, Paul Henry, Nanon Reid, Jack Coulter, Hughie O’Donoghue, Maser, Melissa O’Donnell, Gareth Reid (Sky Portrait artist of the Decade, 2023) Richard Hearns and Blaise Smith. There is sculpture by John Behan, F.E. McWilliam, Patrick O’Reilly, Rowan Gillespie and Orla de Bri.
Friday Fare by Nano Reid is from 1945 and was exhibited at the Venice Biennale in 1950. One of her best known works it is estimated at €24,000-€36,000. There will be a pre-sale exhibition at Sotheby’s on New Bond St. in London from November 9-14.
Nano Reid – Friday Fare, 1945 UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £57,600
A French 1970’s cocktail table. UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,800 AT HAMMER
With everything from Norwegian wood to French cocktails the art and design sale at de Veres is for collectors with an eye to design. There are Danish and Italian pieces from the 1960’s and ’70’s and contemporary labels by designers like Philippe Starck, Vittorio Nobili, Eileen Gray, Marcel Breuer, Gianfranco Frattini alongside art by Donald Teskey, Patrick Scott, Conor Harrington, Mark Francis, John Shinnors and many others.
A 1960’s sideboard from Norway. UPDATE: THIS MADE 3,000 AT HAMMER
The rosewood sideboard illustrated here is a Norwegian 1960’s piece by Fredrik Kayser with four cupboard doors, shelves and drawers. The estimate is €3,000-€5,000. A burl walnut coffee table bar by Paul Michel is French from the 1970’s. The sliding hinged top opens to reveal a fitted bar interior on a mirrored base. The estimate is €1,000-€2,000. The catalogue is online and the sale is on view at de Veres on Kildare St. and Buswell’s Hotel on today, tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday.
In the Dairy by the Cork born artist William Magrath (1838-1918) features in the exhibition of 18th to 21st century Irish Paintings at the Gorry Gallery in Dublin until November 14. The scene is probably in Co. Cork and it shows butter being churned during a period when it was mostly produced in households on a small scale. Cork was the centre of butter production and the product made in homes like these was exported around the world.
A print of Banksy’s “Girl with Balloon” embossed with the P.O.W. (Pictures on Walls) seal sold for $104,000 at Julien’s auction of the Steve Lazarides archive in Los Angeles last night. Hundreds of bidders and collectors from around the world vying took part in the sale of a collection unseen in over 25 years. It was put together by his closest associate and partner Steve Lazarides and featured Banksy’s early career sketches and handwritten raw notes that would forge his signature style. Girl with Balloon, estimated at ¢60,000, was the top selling lot. Banksy’s Hooded Figure, an original painting, made $78,000.
Irish art at Sotheby’s Modern British and Irish evening and day sales in London on November 14 and 15 will be on display in Dublin this weekend. Viewing at the RHA Gallagher Gallery is from today until November 3. Aran Islanders, the oil on board by Gerard Dillon pictured here, is estimated at €30,000-€40,000. The sale will include art by Sir William Orpen, Nano Reid, Colin Middleton, George Mounsey Wheatley Atkinson, Richard Hearns and many more.
