Art lovers gathered at the Douglas Hyde Gallery this week for the launch of Amongst Friends, an exhibition of the work of Jack B. Yeats. Comprising 44 paintings and 16 watercolours and drawings, it provides the most extensive exhibition of Yeats's work shown in Dublin since 1971, the centenary of his birth, writes Fiona Tyrrell
Curated by leading art dealer Theo Waddington, Dr Yvonne Scott, director of the Trinity College Irish Art Research Centre (triarc), and the art historian and critic Bruce Arnold, the show contains many works that will be seen publicly for the first time since leaving the artist's studio.
The exhibition is a "very personal" affair for Waddington, who recalled his unique contact with the artist through his father, Victor - Yeats's representative and friend.
"I wanted to bring pictures that would be an eye-opener to Dublin," as well as document "friendship in art", explained Waddington, there with his wife, Vivienne.
Welcoming the exhibition, the Provost of Trinity College, Dr John Hegarty, expressed his delight in being able to provide a venue for this "exceptional exhibition" and to make available the collection of Yeats's paintings which are in the care of the college.
The exhibition is "all about access", according to Dr Yvonne Scott, who said it was the only chance to see many paintings from private collections. Looking forward to the second year of the postgraduate course in Irish art history, she said there was an incredible interest in Irish art.
Nicholas Robinson, who attended with his brothers Andrew and Sam, opened the exhibition and paid special tribute to Victor Waddington, who "did so much to encourage Irish artists in the rather bleaker days of the 1940s and 1950s".
Also present were US Ambassador to Ireland James C. Kenny and his wife Margaret, former Arts Council chairman Patrick J. Murphy, artist Ciara McGonagle, Elaine Merry and Hugo Merry and Betty MacQuitty, wife of the late William MacQuitty, film producer and friend of Yeats.