THE LAST SKETCH MADE BY JACK BUTLER YEATS TO SELL AT BONHAMS FIRST IRISH ART SALE IN LONDON
An interesting little sketch, known as the last work Jack B Yeats (Irish 1871-1957) ever did, has been consigned by the family of his former nurse for sale in Bonhams first Irish Art Sale in London on 9th February 2011.
Titled `Roundabout ponies’, the pen and ink drawing (measuring just over 5 x 4 inches) is estimated to sell for £1,500-2,000.
The sketch was gifted directly from the artist to the matron of Portobello Nursing Home in Dublin, where he died. They had been friends for a long time and he gave her this little sketch.
Hilary Pyle (author of the Yeats Catalogue Raisonne) says of it "He died on 28 March 1957. His last drawing, a tiny gay swirling sketch of two roundabout ponies on writing paper, was drawn two days before."
Penny Day, Head of Irish Art at Bonhams, says:”This work, although slight, is of great interest as it is the final work he produced. Renowned for his iconic depictions of horses, Ireland and her people; this little gem exhibits the unique artistic vitality he had right to the end. And the fact that he presented it as a gift to someone who had looked after him during his last days adds additional poignancy.”
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further four throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Boston in the USA; and Switzerland, France, Monaco, Hong Kong, Australia and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. By the end of 2009, Bonhams had become UK market leaders in ten key specialist collecting areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com
