Big names in Irish art sale

THE GROWING importance of the internet in art sales has led many auctioneers to upgrade their websites and launch online bidding services.

West Cork auctioneer Morgan O'Driscoll is offering online and mobile smartphone bidding for his next Irish art auction which features paintings, sculpture, photographs and a selection of collectable art books. A catalogue on his website, morganodriscoll.com, is equipped with new gizmos allowing prospective bidders to see the lots close-up and examine the artists' signature, the type and condition of frame, and any labels on the back of a painting.

But the most useful innovation is the facility to see how a painting would look when taken home and hung up. Browsers can click on an image of a painting and then click on an option which shows the painting hanging on a wall. This picture includes a dining chair - to give an instant perspective of size.

See, for example, Making Hayby James MacIntyre, estimate €6,000-€8,000 right. Mr O'Driscoll claims to be the only auctioneer in Ireland to provide this service which "allows Irish and overseas clients who cannot attend a viewing to bid with more confidence". For traditionalists who prefer to attend viewings in person, the lots will go on view in Dublin tomorrow at the D4Berkeley Hotel in Ballsbridge from noon until 10pm and again on Monday from 10am to 8pm.

The auction takes place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Little Island, Cork on February 20th at 6.30pm.

Highlights among the paintings include: The Pilot(also known as The Captain Goes Aboard)by Jack B Yeats €50,000-€70,000; Garden Impression, Paradise Island, Bahamasby Tony O'Malley €40,000-€50,000; and A Western Village,1928 by Paul Henry €20,000-€30,000.

Other prominent artists who feature include: Walter Frederick Osborne, Nathaniel Hone, Harry Kernoff, Basil Blackshaw, Daniel O'Neill, Charles Lamb, Gerard Dillon and William Conor.

More affordable paintings include The Antique Shopby Ivan Sutton €1,800-€2,400; Lady With Parasolby Brian Smyth €1,000-€1,500; and Flower Sellers, Grafton Streetby Norman Teeling €600-€800. Michael Hanrahan's latest painting of last year's royal visit, The Queen at the English Market(€1,500-€2,000), is likely to attract plenty of Cork interest. Photographs include portraits by John Minihan of Lady Diana Spencer (€800-€1,200) and Samuel Beckett (€3,000-€5,000). There's also a selection of Cuala Press prints by Jack B Yeats - each estimated at €200-€400.