Rare opportunity to view renowned paintings

THE country might be in the grips of a recession but, for the next week, art lovers will be given a rare opportunity to look at a more pleasant image of Ireland.

Over the coming days millions of euro worth of renowned paintings by some of Ireland’s most acclaimed artists will be part of an extensive nationwide exhibition.

The 70 paintings from the upcoming Sotheby’s sale of Irish art in London, will be on show at Lismore Castle in Waterford today and tomorrow, before exhibitions in Belfast and Dublin on April 15-16 and April 18-21.

The collection of Irish paintings have a total price-tag in excess of e8 million and include works from artists such as William Orpen, Roderic O’Conor, William Scott, JB Yeats and George Barret.

O’Conor is one of the few Irish artists known best for immersing himself in the cultural influences of France, with some of his most famous works — including the St Guenole — going on sale for as much as e545,000.

Other works include Noll: son of Oliver St John Gogarty, by Orpen, guided at e379,000, Bill Still Life with Brown Glass, by William Scott (e545,000), and Small Chelsea Wall of Light, by Sean Scully (e163,000).

“We are thrilled to be offering such high quality works by Irish artists of international renown,” said Grant Ford, head of Irish Art at Sotheby’s in London.

“The sale includes many of the most reputed names in Irish art and in particular we are delighted to offer several exceptional works by William Orpen, one painted at Howth and another overlooking Portmarnock Strand.”