A Yeats painting based on the last scene of Gounod’s 1867 opera Romeo and Juliet based on Shakespeare’s tragedy is a highlight at Bonham’s Modern British and Irish art sale in London on June 12. Painted in 1927 the much exhibited work depicts the ending of the play in the Capulet family mausoleum. Waking from a drugged coma Juliet finds the lifeless body of Romeo, who had committed suicide believing his wife to be dead. Stricken with grief Juliet takes her own life. Yeats shows the bodies of the star crossed lovers slumped at the front of the tomb. It is estimated at £80,000-120,000. The sale features two drawings of Londonderry by L.S. Lowry dated 1961 and 1962. Each is estimated at £20,000-30,000.
