This oil on canvas by Seamus Coleman is lot 32 at Whyte’s summer online art auction which runs until June 30. Viewing for this sale gets underway today. It offers a range of affordable art from Ireland and around the world. On offer is art by Graham Knuttel, Gerard Byrne, Cecil Maguire, Paul Henry, Jack Butler Yeats, Sidney Nolan, Pauline Bewick, Damien Hirst, Diana Copperwhite and many more. The catalogue is online. The estimate for lot 32 is €500-700.
There was a new world record for Mainie Jellett at Whyte’s in Dublin when Achill Horses, painted in 1933, sold for a hammer price of €210,000. This is the second highest price for a painting by an Irishwoman. The painting was the focus of a battle between two telephone bidders and went to a private collection. A Sarah Purser portrait of Constance and Eva Gore Booth made €240,000 in the Lissadell House auction in 2003.
Whyte’s auction demonstrated continuing confidence in the market for Irish works of rarity and quality. Paul Henry’s West of Ireland Bog sold for €125,000, while Anglesea Market, Dublin, 1933 by Harry Kernoff made the top estimate of €40,000.
William John Leech’s Gardeners Joy nearly doubled its lower estimate of €15,000 to sell at €28,000, and a Louis le Brocquy watercolour Image of Francis Bacon, 1980, made double its lower estimate of €12,000. An Evie Hone watercolour Abstract Composition estimated €2,000 to €3,000 made €5,400, Charles Vincent Lamb oil West of Ireland Landscape, estimated at €1,500 to €2,000 made €3,600, Bridget Riley Magenta And Blue, 2002 lithograph, estimated at €8,000 to €12,000 made €14,500.
The previous record for Jellett was €110,000 for The Land Éire 1940 at Whyte’s in 2019. This painting can be seen at the National Gallery of Ireland’s current exhibition Mainie Jellett Evie Hone The Art of Friendship.
(See posts on antiquesandartireland.com for May 24 and May 20, 2025)
West of Ireland Bog by Paul Henry at Whyte’s. UPDATE: THIS MADE 125,000 AT HAMMER
An array of exciting choices will come up at major sales of Irish art in Dublin by Whyte’s, de Veres and James Adam on May 26, 27 and 28 respectively.
Art worth a couple million euro is set to change hands at sales headed by Paul Henry (Whyte’s), Gerard Dillon (de Veres) and Roderic O’Conor (Adams). All are on view this weekend.
Achill Horses by Mainie Jellett at Whyte’s. UPDATE: THIS MADE 210,000 AT HAMMER
A spectacular 1933 oil of Achill Horses (€70,000-€100,000) by Mainie Jellett will create interest among serious collectors. This modern abstract style was in marked contrast to the prevailing realist mode of her contemporaries like Paul Henry and Charles Lamb. Jellett was chosen to create murals of the life and people of Ireland for the Free State Pavilion at the Glasgow Empire Exhibition of 1938. Another version of Achill Horses is included in the Mainie Jellett and Evie Hone exhibition at the National Gallery until August 10.
The most expensively estimated work at all three sales is West of Ireland Bog by Paul Henry (€120,000-180,000). It is one of three works by the artist at Whyte’s where Cottages, West of Ireland (€60,000-€80,000) and Keel Bay, Achill (€50,000-€70,000) also feature. In Hill Fair at Achill Island by Letitia Hamilton (€15,000-€20,000) the viewer joins the busy scene through an uneven path between two large limestone rocks.
There is international art by John Atkinson Grimshaw, Ferdinand Roybet, Paula Rego, Bridget Riley and Maurice Poirson as well as a sketch of James Joyce by his close friend Frank Budgen. The auction offers major works by William Leech, Dan O’Neill, Colin Middleton and George Russell, Dublin scenes by Flora Mitchell, prints by Patrick Scott, William Scott and Louis le Brocquy, sculpture by Rowan Gillespie and John Behan and work by popular artists like Kenneth Webb, Graham Knuttel, Cecil Maguire and Arthur Maderson.
Little Girl’s Wonder by Gerard Dillon is the top lot at the art and sculpture sale by de Veres next Tuesday. In tune with the naive style and strong use of colour for which Dillon is known it was shown at The Irish Exhibition of Living Art in Dublin – set in 1943 up to promote modernism in Ireland – in 1955. This work is estimated at €50,000-€80,000.
Little Girl’s Wonder by Gerard Dillon at de Veres. UPDATE: THIS MADE 55,000 AT HAMMER
The sale at de Veres offers art by Louis le Brocquy, Colin Middleton, Daniel O’Neill, Patrick Collins, John Shinnors, Peter Curling, Lillian Davidson, George Russell (AE), May Guinness and Mainie Jellett. The sculpture in the auction, on view in the garden of the Merrion Hotel, includes work by Rowan Gillespie, F. E. McWilliam, Patrick O’Reilly, Jason Ellis and Michael Warren.
A reclining nude and a night scene of a boat in a storm, both by Roderic O’Conor and estimated respectively at €40,000-€60,000 and €15,000-€25,000, lead the sale of Important Irish Art at James Adam next Wednesday evening. A dreamlike image by Hughie O’Donoghue, The Sea, The Sea from 2003 is estimated at €15,000-€20,000. Among 100 lots on offer is The Path of the Lamb (1966), an oil on canvas commissioned by The Dominican Order for St. Saviour’s Church on Dominick St. in Dublin (€10,000-€15,000). Figures Asleep by Mary Swanzy from the 1940’s (€10,000-€15,000) shows a makeshift arrangement that possibly depicts neighbours sheltering during air raids. Two arresting and contrasting works by renowned artists are the dense and restrained Black and White Scarecrows by John Shinnors (€5,000-€8,000) and Silent Gardens, a colourful piece from 1985 by Tony O’Malley (€12,000-€15,000).
Convict Woman, a bronze by Rowan Gillespie (€8,000-€12,000) is based on one of the life size figures by the artist unveiled in Hobart, Tasmania in 2017 known as the footsteps toward freedom statues. It represents the 13,000 convict women and 2,000 of their children who were transported to Van Diemen’s Land. A selection of sculpture by John Behan and Oisin Kelly is also on offer. Viewing is underway and all catalogues are online.
Black and White Scarecrows by John Shinnors at Adams. UPDATE: THIS MADE 5,000 AT HAMMER
William John Leech (1881-1968) – Gardener’s Joy. UPDATE: THIS MADE 28,000 AT HAMMER
This painting by William John Leech is lot 26 at Whyte’s Irish and International art auction in Dublin on May 26. In the 1930’s the Irish artist was greatly influenced by the Bloomsbury painters – Duncan Grant, Vanessa Bell and Roger Fry – whose focus was more with private than public concerns and art for art’s sake. In Gardener’s Joy Leech chooses a simple subject and investigates how light at a particular time of day influences it. It is estimated at €15,000-€20,000. The auction is now on view at Whyte’s on Molesworth St., Dublin and the catalogue is online.
The revolver that fired the first shot of The Rising. UPDATE: THIS MADE 10,500 AT HAMMER
On March 21 1916, a day after Capt. Peadar Bracken fired a pinfire revolver during an attack by the RIC following a meeting of Irish Volunteers in Tullamore, Padraig Pearse said: ‘the first blood has been spilled and the first blow struck in defence of the Volunteers right to carry arms’.
Just over one month later on April 24 the Rising began. Though no one realised it at the time that shot heralded the beginning of the end of the British Empire. The gun from which it was fired is at Whyte’s Eclectic Collector online auction which ends from 2 pm on April 6. Lot 144 is estimated at €8,000-€10,000.
Articles of Agreement from 1921 signed by Eamon de Valera and Michael Collins. UPDATE: THIS MADE 68,000 AT HAMMER
A 1921 agreement to postpone the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis in order to avoid a split – signed by Eamon de Valera, Michael Collins, Austin Stack and Arthur Griffith – is another real rarity (€70,000-€90,000). An archive of 12 cans of restored 1916-1923 films of The Rising, The War of Independence and the Civil War is the most expensive lot (€80,000-€100,000). There are about four hours of films.
The market for collectibles is hot and it is predicted to grow. Objects that are collectible come and go but historic and verified rarities like will always be sought after. The timed online sale of 482 lots includes historical artefacts, documents, photographs, books, militaria, medals, weapons, advertising, sport, coins and banknotes. The timeline ranges from 5000 BC (a very large piece of bog oak) to gold coins issued in the year 2000.
There is a letter from Liam Lynch to his godmother in Co. Limerick; the archive of an Irish soldier who fought for Franco in the Spanish Civil War; the archive of a British army officer who served in the Auxiliary Division of the RIC and material from The Northern Ireland Troubles including prisoner art, weapons, rubber bullets and a telephone from Long Kesh.
A 1965 US tour book signed by all four Beatles
A 1965 US Tour Book signed by all four Beatles is estimated at 4,000-€6,000 and the sale includes five letters written by W B Yeats and his father John Yeats (€1,500-€2,000) and a signed first US edition of The Wind Among the Reeds (€1,200-€1,500). A 1775 document relates to Elvis Presley’s Irish ancestor William Presley of Counties Wicklow and Carlow who later emigrated to America (€1,000-€1,500). Collectible posters include an early 20th century Great Southern Railways poster featuring Connemara along with advertising material from Aer Lingus, CIE and Guinness.
An early 20th century Great Southern Railways poster featuring Connemara. UPDATE: THIS MADE 950 AT HAMMER
The collection of Liam Rapple, former president of Bohemians AFC and FAI honorary secretary includes the jersey worn by Stanley Matthews in an England v Ireland match, other jerseys from the 1940’s and ’50’s and an array of football programmes. A ticket to the infamous Bloody Sunday match between Tipperary and Dublin at Croke Park in November 1920 is estimated at €6,000-€8,000.
There is a good selection of banknotes including Ploughman notes and with gold in demand right now there will be much interest in gold coins including Krugerrand, Sovereigns and US dollars. Viewing continues today at Whyte’s on Molesworth St. in Dublin and the catalogue is online.
This 1775 document from Whyte’s eclectic collector timed online auction which runs until April 6 relates to Elvis Presley’s Irish ancestor. The charge sheet details how William Presley was attacked in a dispute over land as follows:
County Carlow Jury charge sheet of William Presley of Stradnakelly in the County of Wicklow, farmer. ‘The Jurors for our Lord the King, upon their Oath, that Andrew Morris of Mullannashea, Co. Wicklow, Francis Morris of Whiterock, Wicklow Samuel Morris of Cross, Thomas Morris late of Hacketstown, Co Carlow, William Wilson, Thomas Matthers, yeomen, with many other evil disposed Persons and Disturbers of the Peace whose names are ignorant of, On seventeenth day of August in the fifteenth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third, by the Grace of God of Great-Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, with Force and Arms that is to say with Swords, Sticks at Hacketstown in the said Co Carlow did riotously, routously and unlawfully assemble and associate themselves together, and the said Persons being then and there so riotously, routously and unlawfully assembled and associated upon one William Presley, a True and faithfully subject of the King the peace of God and of the said Lord the King ..they did beat wound and ill-treat where his life was greatly despaired of.. Contrary to the peace of our said Lord the King his Crown and Dignity’ .
This is a rare piece of evidence about Elvis Presley’s claim to Irish ancestry. William Presley left Hacketstown and emigrated to the United States. Lot 459 is estimated at €1,000-€1,500.
The catalogue with nearly 500 lots is online. Viewing gets underway today at Whyte’s at Molesworth St. in Dublin. The auction will draw to a close from 2 pm on April 6.
Louis le Brocquy – The Tain, Massing of the Armies II at Gormley’s. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
From Walter Osborne to Andy Warhol, Louis le Brocquy to Paul Henry, the range of art on offer at four sales in Dublin next week is downright startling. Even though nowadays Irish art is sold at auction all year round there are still selling seasons. Early spring is one of them. The four sales on March 24, 25 and 26 at Whyte’s,de Veres, Gormleys and Adams will keep collectors busy and engaged. There is much to choose from across varying styles at all price points. In terms of expensive art the most significant sales are at Adams and Gormley’s. The top lot at each sale is a highly covetable tapestry by Louis le Brocquy. Cavanagh (€80,000-€120,000) at Adams next Wednesday evening used to hang at the Setanta Centre and featured here last week. The Tain, Massing of the Armies II at Gormley’s online on Tuesday evening is smaller and estimated at €90,000-€120,000. These artworks by one of Ireland’s leading and internationally renowned modern artists will reward a deep dive of exploration. The online sale at Gormley’s is on view at their new gallery premises on Francis St. in Dublin at the heart of the capital’s antiques quarter, previously Niall Mullen’s antique shop. Key pieces include Walter Frederic Osborne’s A Corner Of An Old Almshouse, Bruges (€60,000 – €90,000), Colin Middleton’s Three Kings (€40,000 – €50,000), Percy French’s West of Ireland Bogland ( €3,500 – €4,500), Banksy’s Grannies (€13,000-€17,000) and a screenprint by Andy Warhol titled Committee 2000 (FS II.289) (€14,000-€18,000). A total of 145 lots will come under the hammer at the Adams sale of Important Irish Art. Paul Henry, Mary Swanzy, Frank McKelvey, Tony O’Malley, Colin Middleton, Hilary Heron, George Russell, Gerard Dillon, Patrick Swift and John Shinnors feature among the leading artists on offer. The emphasis on the sale is on art from the 20th century and much of it is affordable. There is a good solid sale at de Veres timed online sale with bidding closing from 6 pm on Tuesday (March 25). Leading lots – all with top estimates of €20,000 and under – include work by artists who are sought by collectors including Dan O’Neill, Norah McGuinness, le Brocquy, Hughie O’Donoghue, Basil Blackshaw, Sir William Orpen and Harry Kernoff. The catalogue features 186 lots. The Spring online sale at Whyte’s, where the sale of Important Irish art on March 3 realised more than €1.2 million, is also brimful of interest and at a much lower price point. There are lithographs by William Scott, silhouettes by August Edouart, oils by Markey Robinson, a memory triggering painting of Collinstown Airport, Dublin in the 1940’s by Ivan Sutton among a selection of 265 lots in an estimate range of €80 to €5,000 at auction from 6 pm next Monday.
PICTURED BELOW: Ivan Sutton – Collinstown Airport, Dublin 1940’s at Whytes. UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,500 AT HAMMER
William Crozier – Still Life at de Veres. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
Gerard Dillon – Abstract by Night at Adams. UPDATE: THIS MADE 7,500 AT HAMMER
Mary Swanzy – La Route UPDATE: THIS MADE 36,000 AT HAMMER
A total of 129 lots of Irish art, headed by a trio of works from Paul Henry, will lead Whyte’s sale of Important Irish Art at Freemason’s Hall, Molesworth St., Dublin next Monday evening (March 3). The top lot is Lake and Mountains, Connemara (€250,000-€350,000), described by Whyte’s as an exceptional example of Henry’s later work. It dates to 1933-36.
West of Ireland Landscape (€150,000-€200,000) is thought to be of Moyteogue and Achill head from the Keel to Dooagh road. Cottages Connemara (€80,000-€120,000) is a fine illustration of the harsh reality of life in the locality during the era when Henry was painting.
In the 1920’s the celebrated Irish artist Mary Swanzy was fortunate to be not overburdened with financial constraints. She travelled widely to central and eastern Europe, Canada, Hawaii and Samoa, returning to Paris to exhibit. La Route at Whyte’s is similar to other French 1920’s scenes by Swanzy. With flattened perspective re-enforced by the road it shows the influence of Cezanne. The work was included in her celebrated 2018-19 retrospective in Ireland and is estimated at €20,000-€30,000.
NANO REID (1900-1981) – THROUGH THE DOOR (GEORGE CAMPBELL IN HIS STUDIO). UPDATE: THIS MADE 14,500 AT HAMMER
Through the Door (George Campbell in his Studio) by Nano Reid was one of twenty-four works exhibited by Ireland at the 25th Venice Biennale in 1950. It comes up as lot 35 at Whyte’s sale of Important Irish Art on March 3. In 1950 there were twenty-three participating nations and Ireland – represented by two female artists, Nano Reid and Norah McGuinness – was included among them for the first time that year.
Both Reid and McGuinness were prominent figures in the Irish arts scene and had studied at the Metropolitan School of Art in Dublin. They travelled to London and Paris and were advocates of a modernist style of painting. Their work had been showcased on the international stage before, at the Irish Exhibition of Living Artists (IELA) and the Exhibition of Contemporary Irish Painting organised by the Cultural Relations Committee of Ireland which toured the USA in 1950. At Venice they received largely positive feedback. Italian critic Umberto Apollonio praised Reid’s ‘audacious expressionism’ while James White (who wrote the catalogue entry for the artists at Venice) claimed the critics were ‘amazed to learn that Reid was a woman artist’ because of her strongly expressionist style. McGuinness’ work was described as having ‘vibrating and rather evocative tonality’ and Italian President Luigi Einaudi acquired her painting The Black Church. Among their competition in 1950 were artists – mostly men – known today by their surnames alone, Braque, de Kooning, Dalí, Kandinsky, Klee, Picasso, Rivera, Pollock. The grand prize for painting was won by Henri Matisse, and men took all the other awards.
Through the Door (George Campbell in his Studio) depicts Reid’s friend and fellow artist standing purposefully in front of his easel. The door is used as a device to bring the viewer into the composition which is framed by a bold use of line and colour employed to dramatic effect to cut through the dark palette. The painting is estimated at €10,000-€15,000.
Jack Butler Yeats RHA (1871-1957) – THE DUST ON THY CHARIOT WHEEL, 1945 sold for €160,000
The Irish and International art sale at Whyte’s in Dublin on December 2 grossed over €1.2 million. The top lot was Paul Henry’s Killary Bay, Connemara which made a hammer price of €210,000 over a top estimate of €150,000. A 1945 Yeats, The Dust on They Chariot Wheel made €160,000 at hammer, The Turquoise Sea by Sir John Lavery made €58,000, The Long Memory by Colin Middleton made €30,000, Girl Feeding a tortoiseshell cat by Walter Osborne made €60,000, Hooker off Cork Harbour by Richard Brydges Beechey made €19,000 and Still Life with Plant and Bouquet by William Crozier made €14,000.
