Four record prices for Irish paintings, but 40 lots unsold

IN the heady days of the late 1990s when Irish art was new to the international market it seemed as if you could sell anything once it was from an Irish artist. It is not like that now.

There were four world records at the annual Irish Sale at Christie’s in London yesterday but 40 out of 105 lots remained unsold.

The Orpen, billed as the highlight of the day, failed to find a buyer during the sale, but was sold afterwards to an anonymous buyer for just over €1m. Overall, the sale of Irish art yesterday realised €4,943,715.