Value still to be had in Irish art market

Des O’Sullivan finds top names for sale in Skibbereen auction.

The Irish art market took a hit in the recession. It is recovering slowly, but there is still value to be had.

One example of this is Kinsale by Letitia Marion Hamilton, which comes up at Morgan O’Driscoll’s auction on September 12.

When it last appeared at auction at Whyte’s in 2002 it realised €7,500.

This time around it is estimated at €4,000-€6,000. One of Ireland’s best known women artists Hamilton, studied under William Orpen at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art. She died in 1964.

The Yellow Roses by Patrick Hennessey (1915-1980) at Morgan O’Driscoll’s Irish art auction (€5,000-€7,000).

Among the other artists whose work will feature are Patrick Scott, John Shinnors, Tony O’Malley, Basil Blackshaw, Frank McKelvey, Daniel O’Neill, Hughie O’Donoghue, Patrick Hennessy and the sculptor John Behan.

The sale of 135 lots is on view in Skibbereen today, tomorrow and Monday from 12pm to 5pm each day and at the RDS in Dublin from September 9 to 12. The auction is online.