A SELECTION of paintings by renowned Irish artists such as Paul Henry, Jack Butler Yeats and Daniel O'Neill made some €3 million when they went under the hammer in Dublin last night.
Other pieces by Louis le Brocquy and Sir William Orpen were among the 250 lots offered in the Adam's Important Irish Art sale. In spite of the difficult economic climate, Adam's auctioneer James O'Halloran said interest in the sale was high, with a large number of people attending viewings of the works, a significant number of US phone bidders registering for the sale and a large attendance at the auction.
Mr O'Halloran said collectors were looking for safe bets or value in their dealings. The auction reached expectations with 80 per cent of the lots selling. "We put together a collection that is the best that has been seen in a long time, but with estimates that reflect the current economic circumstances," he said. A recently rediscovered Henry painting, which had not been seen in public for more than 80 years, The Spotted Shawl, fetched €180,000 from a private bidder, while another work by Henry, A Grey Evening, Achill, was purchased for €185,000. Another sale highlight, Figure on the Beach by Daniel O'Neill, sold for €130,000.
