The Sotheby’s Auction
House in Londonhas relaunched the annual Irish Saledue to an
increase in interest which signalsconfidence in the Irish art
market.
Arabella Bishop, head of Sotheby’s Ireland, said that “the
moment is right to relaunch a dedicated annual sale as new
collectors – both from Ireland and internationally – are actively
buying and bidding for Irish art.”
The reinstated event will take place on October 21st with the
principal lot being a painting by Sir William Orpen titled Nude
Girl Reading. This piece painted in Paris in 1921 has a top
estimate of500,000 ($774,300.00 USD).Orpen, born in Stillorgan, Co
Dublin, was a leading portrait painter in London and one of
Britain’s official first World War artists.
Another piecethat will be included in the sale is The
Forlorn Hope by Jack B Yeats which has a top estimate
of180,000 ($278,792.10 USD).
After Irish art prices crashed following the economic downturn 4
years ago the sale was dropped. Now Sotheby’s has relaunched the
event, moved its Irish office into bigger premises and opened a new
office. These three factors ultimately “cement its commitment to
the Irish market.”
Source: Irish Times