Paul Henry RHA (1876-1958) – DAPPING ON LOUGH MASK, COUNTY MAYO, 1928-36
T’is the season which makes this artwork by Paul Henry at Whyte’s sale of Important Irish Art on May 25 seasonal at the height of the fly fishing particularly of the moment in Ireland. Dapping is a traditional fly fishing technique where the fly touches the water while the line remains in the air, favoured on Lough Mask late in the season. The estimate for this work is €150,000-200,000. Early viewing at Whyte’s on Molesworth Street in Dublin gets underway today and the catalogue is online.
Patrick Hennessy RHA (1915-1980) – Portrait of Eva Hempel
This portrait at Whyte’s auction of important Irish art in Dublin on May 25 stirs up memories of another deeply troubled time in world affairs. The subject of Patrick Hennessy’s portrait, Eva Hempel, was wife of Hitler’s envoy in Dublin Dr. Eduard Hempel. Though not at the time a member of the Nazi party the career diplomat was appointed as ‘Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the German Reich’ in Dublin by Adolf Hitler in 1937. He was pressured to join the Nazi Party in 1938 and continued to represent the Third Reich in Ireland until 1945. Dr Hempel commissioned portraits of each of his family members by the then emerging Cork artist Patrick Hennessy. The portraits were made at Dr Hempel’s official residence on Sloperton Road, Dún Laoghaire and it was to this address that then Taoiseach Éamon de Valera famously called to express the Free State’s condolences following Hitler’s death in 1945. The house was destroyed in an arson attack in the early 1950’s and the remains demolished in 1955.
After the War, Dr Hempel resigned his diplomatic post and the family was granted asylum in Ireland. He was not allowed to work and Eva supported the family by running a confectionary and bakery. Berthold, one of their sons died in Dublin in 1948 from a brain tumour. The family returned to Germany in 1950 where Hempel helped set up a diplomatic service for the new Federal Republic. The portrait remained in the collection of the Hempel family. It was last sold at the estate sale of their collection in Munich in 1994 and has been in a private collection. Lot 38 is estimated at €4,000-6,000. Whyte’s sale will offer 132 lots of Irish art with an overall value of €1.4 million.
A rare photo of the O’Donovan Rossa funeral committee. UPDATE: THIS MADE 900 AT HAMMER
In August of 1915 the funeral of Fenian leader Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa was a rallying point for Irish Republicans, often cited as a precursor to the events of the Easter Rising the following year. The passionate Glasnevin graveside oration by Padraig Pearse finished with the oft quoted words: “Ireland unfree shall never be at peace”. A rare photograph of The O’Donovan Rossa funeral committee is lot 159 at Whyte’s timed online Eclectic Collector sale which draws to a close from 1 pm today. The estimate is €500-€700 for a picture which includes Eamon de Valera, Thomas McDonagh, Seamus Buggy, Arthur Griffith, Cathal Brugha, John MacBride, Countess Markievicz and Tom Clarke. Everyone in it is named. Labour members of the committee not in the photo include James Larkin.
The Eclectic Collector is a fascinating sale. Lot 217 is an account of the death of Michael Collins by Emmet Dalton, who was travelling with him at Beal na mBlath. It consists of eight typewritten pages signed in blue pencil in Dalton’s hand. This unique eyewitness account is thought to be unpublished and is estimated at €2,000-€3,000. More than 500 lots of historical artefacts, manuscripts, documents, photographs, books, militaria, medals, weapons and memorabilia including advertising, sport and entertainment, posters, postcards, coins and bank notes will come under the hammer.
Emmet Dalton’s account of the death of Michael Collins UPDATE: THIS MADE 6,000 AT HAMMER
The signed part of the foundation document of Sinn Fein. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
Lot 143 at Whyte’s Eclectic Collector auction on April 18 – which goes on view in Dublin from today – is a manuscript agreement which confirms the amalgamation of three political units into Sinn Fein. Dated October 21 1906 it is written in Arthur Griffith’s hand and signed by representatives of the National Council, Dungannon Clubs and Cuman na nGaedheal. The attendance is noted as follows.
“At a Conference held at Dundalk on Sunday the 21st October 1906 called at the instance of the Executive of the Dungannon Clubs to discuss the question of a possible Amalgamation between the three organisations at present working on Sinn Fein lines the following delegates were present: ‘National Council: Arthur Griffith, Cole & Sheehan Dungannon Clubs: Messrs Hobson, McCullough & McCartan Cumann na nGaedheal: Messrs Doyle, A. Ingoldsby & O’Brien.”
The estimate for this important historical document is €15,000-€20,000. The party split before the civil war and again afterwards, giving rise to Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. The remaining Sinn Fein organisation continued its association with the IRA. Another split in 1970 led to the modern Sinn Fein party. The other faction became the Workers’ Party.
The sale offers a fascinating array of historical artefacts, manuscripts, documents, photographs, books, militaria, medals, weapons, memorabilia including advertising, sport and entertainment, posters, postcards, photographs, coins, banknotes and other collectibles dating from the 16th century to the 20th century in over 500 lots.
Einis Eoghain (D) by Felim Egan UPDATE: THIS MADE 420 AT HAMMER
With everything from a cool abstract etching by Felim Egan entitled Einish Eoghain to a cheerful oil on canvas of boats at Dunmore East by Henry Morgan the Spring online art sale at Whyte’s offers much to interest collectors. The timed online auction runs until the evening of March 30.
The most expensively estimated lot is a Moonlit Roman Scene with Figures by Markey Robinson (€3,500-€4,500). The sale offers landscapes, seascapes, drawings, woodcuts, racing paintings, abstraction and a self portrait by Damien Hirst composed of a light box and X-rays (€600-€800). A self portrait – Baked bean boy by Bono is estimated at €400-€600. The online catalogue lists 235 lots with estimates from €80 to €4,500.
Boats in Harbour, Dunmore East by Henry Morgan UPDATE: THIS MADE 950 AT HAMMER
Cecil King (1921-1986) – UNTITLED (THRESHOLD SERIES) UPDATE: THIS MADE 750 AT HAMMER
This oil on paper from Cecil King’s Threshold series is lot 103 at Whyte’s Spring online art sale which runs until the evening of March 30. Signed in pencil on the lower right it is estimated at €800-€1,200. Bidding is open for this auction which is on view at Molesworth St. from March 23. There are 235 lots on the catalogue with estimates from €80 to €4,500 and it is online now.
Paul Henry RHA (1876-1958) – LANDSCAPE, CONNEMARA, 1932-5. UPDATE: THIS MADE €115,000 AT HAMMER
What Sean O Faolain described as the special drama of mobile light had returned to Paul Henry’s painting when he made Landscape Connemara. Clouds in the upper third of the composition evoke a sense of enthusiasm and joy. The oil on canvas comes up as lot 17 at Whyte’s sale of Irish and international art on March 9 with an estimate of €120,000-€150,000.
By the early 1930’s Paul Henry had settled into life in Carrigoona Cottage in Enniskerry County Wicklow with his partner, and later his second wife, the artist Mabel Young RHA whom he had first met in 1924. The mid-1920s had been fraught with both marital and financial troubles for Henry but life with Young in Enniskerry reinvigorated the artist. ‘Henry’s palette, like his mood, lightened as his financial and domestic problems faded.’ By September 1934 he was legally separated and it would appear his thirst for inspiration had returned following a holiday in County Kerry.
Included in the sale are works by Henry, Roderic O’Conor, William Conor, Walter Osborne, Aloysius O’Kelly, William Orpen, Mildred Anne Butler, Jack Butler Yeats, Seán Keating, Norah McGuinness, Evie Hone, Daniel O’Neill, Tony O’Malley, Rowan Gillespie and many others. International artists represented in the collection include L. S. Lowry, David Hockney, Frank Bowling, Josef Herman and Maurice Poirson.
A doll’s house at Woodwards sale in Cork today (March 7). UPDATE: THIS MADE 280 AT HAMMER
From art and jewellery to antique furniture, paintings and collectibles at all price points all sorts of everything will be available at auctions up and down Ireland in the coming days. In Dublin art by Roderic O’Conor and Paul Henry head up an Irish and International art sale with a combined estimate of more than €1 million at Whyte’s on the evening of March 9. The Jewellery Box sale at Adams on March 10 offers 234 lots headed by an emerald and diamond dress ring (€10,000-€15,000). Both these auctions are now on view.
Auctions in Cork by Aidan Foley, Woodwards and Hegarty’s in Bandon offer a wide variety of lots at lower price points. Top lots at Woodwards on March 7 are an Edwardian economy dining table (€1,000-€2,000) and a five piece cast iron patio suite (1,200-€1,800). The three day sale by Aidan Foley in Doneraile next on March 9, 10 and 11 at 6 pm on each day offers a library collection, art, antique furniture and rugs, silver and a collection of whiskey. The online sale at Hegarty’s in Bandon on March 11 features an oil on canvas by Graham Knuttel, a five stone diamond ring and an antique pair of Cork elbow chairs.
An emerald and diamond dress ring at Adam’s in Dublin. UPDATE: THIS MADE 10,000 AT HAMMER
Le Loing at Sundown by Roderic O’Conor. UPDATE: THIS MADE €245,000 AT HAMMER
From Roderic O’Conor to David Hockney and Paul Henry to Ciaran Clear the Irish and International art sale at Whyte’s on March 9 offers many exciting opportunities for collectors.
The museum quality Le Loing at Sundown by O’Conor leads an auction of 129 lots with a combined estimate of in excess of one million euro. Painted around 1902 it is the catalogue cover lot and carries an estimate of €150,000-€200,000.
O’Conor revisited Montigny, a small town on the edge of the forest of Fontainebleau in the autumn of 1902 where he captured the mysterious half light with the sun setting low on the horizon. The art historian Jonathan Benington recounts how the works executed at this time were; “characterised by a highly painterly handling of the oil medium, from translucent stains to textured scumblings and thick calligraphic strokes”. This approach, radical at that time, can be traced back to O’Conor’s friendship with Gauguin and allegiances with Van Gogh in the early 1890’s.
Pool Made with Paper and Blue Ink for Book by David Hockney. UPDATE: THIS MADE €38,000 AT HAMMER
David Hockney’s Pool Made with Paper and Blue Ink for Book was similarly radical when it was made in 1980. It reflects his long-standing fascination with pools, light and the California lifestyle, transforming an everyday subject into a vivid study of colour, surface and perception. The artist uses simplified lines and fluid forms to evoke the movement and shimmer of water. This signed lithograph from an edition of 1,000 is a highly sought after example from his inspirational swimming pools paintings and is estimated at €25,000-€35,000.
A holiday in Kerry brought inspiration back to Paul Henry. By the early 1930’s, after a fraught and financially troubled time in his life during which he had separated from his wife, the celebrated artist had settled into a new life in Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow with his partner Mabel Young RHA, later his second wife. By September 1934 he was legally separated and his thirst for inspiration had returned following a holiday in Co. Kerry. This renewed passion for his surroundings is evident in the lightened palette of his Landscape, Connemara (1932-35) which comes up as lot 17 with an estimate of €120,000-€150,000.
A completely different take on a similar subject is evident in Ciaran Clear’s Moonrise, Connemara Shore (€4,000-€6,000) with its silvery sea, figures on a beach looking out to sea, dark sails and shadowy rocks.
A bust of James Barry by Joseph Panzetta UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
A coade stone bust of the Cork born artist James Barry (1741-1806) by Joseph Panzetta dates to 1818 and is probably based on an engraving by Picart in Fryer’s two volume catalogue of Barry’s work in 1809. It is one of four busts, others being held by the Crawford in Cork and by St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. The estimate is €5,000-€7,000. Three Roses by Patrick Hennessy, complete with a Guildhall Galleries, Chicago label, is similarly estimated.
The artist L S Lowry was proud of his Irish roots and The Cart from 1959 is a possible memory of a jaunting car during one of his visits to Ireland. Other international artists in the sale are Mr. Brainwash, Sir Frank Bowling, Maurice Poirson and Josef Herman.
A rare 1921 artist’s proof set of two lithographs by Sir John Lavery of Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith, each signed by both artist and sitter, is estimated at €8,000-€10,000. They were gifted to the previous owner by Arthur Griffith.
The Shuggleshoo by William Conor (€18,000-€22,000) was exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1951. Child Playing with Dice by Dan O’Neill (€12,000-€18,000) was acquired from the George Waddington Galleries in Montreal. This gallery held solo exhibitions of O’Neill in 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963 and 1965. The sale features a selection of watercolours by Percy French and art by Walter Osborne, Evie Hone, Maurice MacGonigal, Tony O’Malley, Mainie Jellett, Jack Yeats, Rowan Gillespie, Siobhan Bulfin, Kenneth Webb, Arthur Maderson and Elizabeth Cope. Viewing gets underway at Whyte’s next Monday and the catalogue is online.
Moonrise, Connemara Shore by Ciaran Clear. UPDATE: THIS WAS WITHDRAWN
Roderic O’Conor – Le Loing at Sundown c1902. UPDATE: THIS MADE €245,000 AT HAMMER
Le Loing at Sundown by Roderic O’Conor will lead Whyte’s sale of Irish and International art in Dublin on March 9. The museum worthy work is the catalogue cover lot for the sale. Valued at €150,000-€200,000 it is also the most expensively estimated lot of 129 in the auction. In the autumn of 1902 O’Conor revisited Montigny, a small town on the edge of the forest of Fontainebleau where that he captured the mysterious half light with the sun sitting low on the horizon. O’Conor author Jonathan Benington describes how the works executed at this time were “…characterised by a highly painterly handling of the oil medium, from translucent stains to textured scumblings and thicker calligraphic strokes.”
