Early Yeats painting takes centre stage

Des O’Sullivan previews a number of artistic gems.

An early painting by Jack B. Yeats, The Novelist, is the top lot at the James Adam sale of important Irish art in Dublin on March 28 at 6pm. It was given to the current owner at the age of 12 by his father, a friend of Yeats. It is accompanied by a letter to the owner’s father Jack Purser from Yeats.

The work is estimated at €100,000-150,000. A second Yeats oil, Downpatrick Head, Co Mayo, from an executor’s estate is valued at €25,000-35,000.