Important Irish Art - 30.11.09 at 6pm GMT
We are delighted to bring to market an extremely rare and beautiful Walter Osborne oil painting "A Bit of Sutton Courtney "A Village by the Thames,1887 [lot 75]. This work was last seen in public over one hundred and twenty years ago. It was purchased by a member of the present owner's family about ninety years ago. Exquisitely housed in a period gilt frame it is worth every cent of the estimate of €80,000 to €120,000.
Works by Norah McGuinness and Daniel O'Neill stand out in this sale as unique examples from their respective oeuvres. Breton Port, 1949 [lot 50]estimated at €25,000-€35,000 was exhibited by McGuinness at the 1950 Irish Exhibition of Living Art. O'Neill's Barmaid, [lot 43] estimated at €20,000-€30,000 is equally striking. Harry Kernoff RHA (1900-1974), the passionate recorder of life in Dublin, is represented at Whyte's with two exciting and sizeable works that simultaneously demonstrate. Grand Canal Lock, Dublin, 1935 [lot 56] estimated at €25,000-€35,000 and Portobello Harbour, Dublin [lot 53] estimated at €20,000-€30,000 are not only attractive paintings but are invaluable historical records of the city's development.
Other artists who feature strongly in this auction include, Percy French, John ButlerYeats, Seàn Keating, Mainie Jellett, Stella Steyn, Christopher Campbell and William Conor as well as classic contributors such as James Arthur O'Connor, Erskine Nicol, John Faulkner RHA and Patrick Vincent Duffy RHA.
As always the Whyte's team "myself, Sarah, Adelle and N`iròn will be on hand to inform and advise. We look forward to being of help.
Ian Whyte. Dublin, November 2009