From Irish Modernism to Ronald Reagan

Unusually for a major Irish art auction, paintings by women artists are among the highlights in Whyte’s forthcoming sale which goes on view at the RDS in Dublin next weekend.

Mary Swanzy, born in 1882, the daughter of a wealthy Merrion Square eye surgeon, is considered one of Ireland's first "modern" artists. She travelled extensively and eventually settled in London where she died in 1998. According to Whyte's, Trees by Mary Swanzy (€15,000-€18,000) which was painted between the 1920s and 1930s, is "testament to her world travels and artistic confidence".

According to auctioneer Ian Whyte, "after six years of a recession, during which Irish art prices dropped by 50 per cent and more, auction results for many Irish artists are now rising." The Swanzy painting, for example, "would have been double [the estimate] a few years ago".

Other paintings by women artists include: Salmon Fishing on the Boyne by Drogheda painter Nano Reid (€25,000-€35,000); and Painting 1930 by Mainie Jellett, who is described as "a pioneer of Cubism in Ireland" (€20,000-€30,000).

More traditional pictures by women include An Old Song, a watercolour portrait of the artist's sister, Essie Butler by Mildred Anne Butler (€3,000-€5,000); Unicorn by Lady Beatrice Glenavy (€5,000-€7,000); and Ancient Trees, Powerscourt, Co Wicklow by Mabel Young (€1,200-€1,500). Norah McGuinness, Sarah Purser and Evie Hone are also represented.

The top lot is Gerard Dillon's Home with the Catch (€60,000-€80,000) which depicts a "Connemara patriarch returning to his family with two fish in his hand". A rather more exotic location is the subject of A Street in Tangier, a small oil by Sir John Lavery (€20,000-€30,000); while Paul Henry's Turf Stacks with Mountain Beyond (€15,000-€20,000) is described by Whyte's as suitable for those on a "modest budget".

Warhol print
The auction includes a selection of paintings and prints from the Taylor Gallery, Lisburn Road, Belfast which has been put in to administration. The Taylor Collection in the auction includes prints by international artists such as Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Henry Moore, Joan Miró and Banksy. A Warhol print (number three from an edition of 190) based on an advertisement featuring Ronald Reagan (the former actor who later became president of the United States). The estimate is €10,000-€15,000.

Viewing for Whyte's Art Auction at the RDS, Anglesea Road entrance, Ballsbridge Dublin 4, May 24th-May 26th, 10am to 6pm daily. Auction in the same venue on Monday, May 26th at 6pm, and will be broadcast live on whytes.ie.