A rediscovered painting by artist Paul Henry which was hidden from the public for 80 years sold tonight at auction for €180,000.
The work, titled
The Spotted Shawl, had been expected to fetch up to €400,000 and was billed as one of the star attractions at the auction of Irish art at Adam's in Dublin.
But despite the prized lot falling short of the guide price, a second painting by the Belfast-born artist,
A Grey Evening, sold for €185,000.
The Spotted Shawlwas sold to a private bidder in the Stephen's Green auction room.
James O'Halloran, of Adam's, said: "Paul Henry is a name synonymous with high quality Irish art and arguably one of the best known 20th century artists of this country.
"His work regularly comes on the market and attracts serious saleroom attention, so we always anticipated his paintings would do well." Auctioneers were unaware of the painting's existence until the unnamed owners brought it in for sale.
"Having not been seen in public for over 80 years, when it was first purchased by the vending family at a Paul Henry Exhibition in London, The Spotted Shawl was fresh to market and much sought-after, so we are very pleased with this result," Mr O'Halloran added.
Henry is best known for his depictions of Achill Island and his work featured in a major retrospective at the National Gallery in Dublin in 2003.
Also included in the auction were more than forty paintings and sculptures from the collection of the late Charlie
Hennessy, the renowned Cork-based patron of the arts.
PA