A rare smaller scale version of Sir John Lavery’s celebrated Belfast “Madonna of the Lakes” triptych discovered in the former Sisters of Mercy Convent in Newry will be auctioned in June by Victor Mee. A copy or study for Lavery’s triptych in St. Patrick’s Church, Belfast, is believed to have been presented by the artist to Fr. John O’Neill.
The provenance has been significantly strengthened by a report published in the Belfast Gazette on June 17 , 1960, following the death of Fr. O’Neill, which records among charitable legacies a bequest of “Sir John Lavery’s presentation copy of ‘The Madonna of the Lakes’ to the Sisters of Mercy, Crumlin Road, Belfast. A dedication along the lower edge of the work reads: “To Fr. O’Neill. From John Lavery, 1919,” while an inscription on the reverse reads: “Received Oct 21 st , 1919. J. O’Neill.”
Victor Mee will conduct a three day convent sale in Newry on June 9, 10 and 11. Believed to be one of the largest such sales ever held in Ireland it will include contents sourced from several former Convent of Mercy properties together with a substantial selection of fine furniture, decorative arts, silver, sculpture and garden pieces. The sale will be on view at the historic convent location on Catherine St., Newry from June 5-8.
