VIEWING begins tomorrow, May 15th, for de Veres art auction on Tuesday, which features 240 paintings and sculpture by Irish artists – some from collections in America, Paris and the UK.
Belfast-born painter Frank McKelvey was the top seller at Bonhams inaugural Irish sale in London earlier this year, so there is likely to be interest in his nostalgic Farmyard – another depiction of a white-washed, thatched, Co Down homestead, this time with a duck-pond outside the half-door. The estimate is €4,000-€6,000.
Ivan Sutton also depicts a vanished Ireland in The Storyteller’s Funeral at Strand Graveyard, Inis Oirr, Aran Islands (estimate €2,000-€3,000) which depicts a funeral procession of historical interest and shows a cortège crossing the beach; the women dressed in black shawls and red petticoats .
The auction may help to revive interest in a somewhat forgotten Northern Ireland painter, James Sinton Sleator, who was born in Portadown, Co Armagh, studied art in Dublin under Sir William Orpen, became president of the RHA in 1945, and died in 1950. He was well-regarded in his day and considered an important painter of portraits.
His Self-Portrait In Studio, wearing trademark black fedora, is estimated at €4,000-€6,000.
Among other portraits are a very attractive Harry Kernoff pastel Portrait of Pauline King (€700-€1,000); Seán Keating’s wonderful drawing of the striking Aida Kelly, who married Maurice MacGonigal in 1940 – Study of a Girl is estimated at €1,500-€2,000; and Seán O’Sullivan’s handsome Kevin O’Sullivan – The Artist’s Brother (€1,200-€1,600).
Auctioneer John de Vere White said the auction would also cater for those who favour more contemporary items, including paintings by Barrie Cooke, Hughie O’Donoghue and Tony O’Malley and sculpture by John Behan, and Oisín Kelly.
– MP
De Veres Irish Art Auction is in the D4Berkeley Hotel, Dublin 4, Tuesday, May 17th at 6pm
