Paul Henry early drawings will be highlight of September sale

Two early works, unseen since the 1940’s, were acquired directly from the artist, Des O’Sullivan reports.

Early drawings by Paul Henry (1876-1958) unseen in this country since the 1940’s will be a highlight at Morgan O’Driscoll’s sale of Irish and International art at the RDS on September 14 at 6 pm.

The two drawings, Boy with a Flute (1910) and Woman with Fagots (1904) were acquired directly from the artist and have been in New Zealand since the 1940’s.

Described justifiably by the auctioneer as an exciting re-discovery of work by one of Ireland’s most outstanding and popular artists each one is estimated at €15,000-€25,000.

Another rarity in the sale is The Pig Market by the 19th century Cork artist Charles Henry Cook (c1830-1906). It is estimated at €3,000-€5,000.

Born in Bandon he exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy in the 1860s and ’70s from an address at Cork’s Patrick St. St Patrick’s Day by Cook is in the collection of the National Library of Ireland.

The sale of 110 lots includes sculpture by John Behan, Melanie le Brocquy and others.

There is an original screen print by Robert Motherwell and Old Time Dance by Dan O’Neill which depicts a night time scene and a couple dancing.

The sale of 110 lots will be on view at Morgan O’Driscoll’s Skibbereen offices from September 4-7 from noon to 5 pm each day and in Dublin at the RDS Minerva Suite from Friday September 11.