I make no apologies for again recommending a visit to the Irish Museum of Modern Art. This time it is to insist that you make time to see the work of two outstanding artists, one Irish and one British, whose works are being shown side by side for the very first time. They are Jack B Yeats and Lucian Freud. The exhibition is titled Life Above Everything.
On first consideration you might feel that these two artists have little in common. Yet there are a number of features that align them, notably originality and being very independent. Both painters very much bring their subjects to life, whether that is the people or the animals they portrayed on canvas. In fact they often depict human/animal relationships in their work.
Jack B. Yeats, The Flapping Meeting, 1926, © Estate of Jack B. Yeats, DACS London / IVARO Dublin, 2019. Private Collection. \ Denis Mortell.
There is also a hugely important connection by way of admiration. Yeats died in 1957, when Freud was just 35 years of age. The latter lived until 2011. There is plenty of evidence that Freud was a big fan of Yeats, though it is thought likely they never met. However, a pen and ink drawing by Yeats, The Dancing Stevedores, hung on the wall beside Freud’s bed for more than two decades.
Furthermore, central to the current exhibition is a group of paintings by Yeats which Freud personally selected for a close friend. Some were acquired at auction, while others were bought through galleries. Freud’s enthusiasm for the work of Yeats is a wonderful commendation for this exhibition.
Horses play a pivotal role in many of the works of Yeats. One of the highlights of the show is a painting by Yeats, The Flapping Meeting. Painted in 1926, it is an example of a change in style for Yeats and is one of my personal favourites. It is also one of the pictures Freud recommended to his friend to purchase.
Jack B. Yeats, From the Tram Top, 1927, © Estate of Jack B. Yeats, DACS London / IVARO Dublin, 2019. Private Collection. \ Denis Mortell.
Another room features working horses in a number of works by Yeats, and this room also houses a small work by Freud, A Filly, and it actually depicts an animal he briefly owned. Even more stunning is Skewbald Mare, and this was painted just seven years before Freud died. The animal was housed in stables near the artist’s studio in Notting Hill.
Enough about the horses for now. Both Yeats and Freud painted people, and especially men, with great attention to detail. It is in this area that I feel Freud excels, though his style can and does divide opinion. One either loves it or not.
Girl with Roses, 1947-48 (oil on canvas), Freud, Lucian (1922-2011) / British Council, London, UK / © The Lucian Freud Archive. \ Bridgeman Images
Do not pass Two Irishman in WII, painted between 1984 and 1985, without spending some time to study it closely. It depicts a successful bookmaker from Northern Ireland looking quite solemn. His large frame, immaculately dressed in a three-piece suit and wearing a distinctive signet ring, is seated in front of his standing son. The contrast between the two men is stark, and yet they seem to complement each other.
Further examination of the picture reveals a detailed background of the London skylight, while two small works by Freud lie against the wall in the sparse room they occupy. It is outstanding work.
Girl with Beret, 1951 (oil on canvas), Freud, Lucian (1922-2011) / Manchester Art Gallery, UK / © The Lucian Freud Archive. \ Bridgeman Images
The Irish Museum of Modern Art is situated at Kilmainhan, Dublin and you should allow yourself time to see the other exhibitions on show. The famous Royal Hospital and its beautiful gardens should be explored, while the shop is a treasure trove for gift ideas. When you have had enough of all that, the restaurant is the place to go for delicious food and a reviving coffee.
Entry to Life Above Everything costs €8, with concessions. Other exhibitions are free to view. The current show runs until 19 January 2020.
Jack B. Yeats, White Shower, 1928, © Estate of Jack B. Yeats, DACS London / IVARO Dublin, 2019. Image courtesy of The Model, home of The Niland Collection.
Visit the IMMA website for more details.
Read more
The Front Row: if the walls could speak
The Front Row: RHA Annual Exhibition
I make no apologies for again recommending a visit to the Irish Museum of Modern Art. This time it is to insist that you make time to see the work of two outstanding artists, one Irish and one British, whose works are being shown side by side for the very first time. They are Jack B Yeats and Lucian Freud. The exhibition is titled Life Above Everything.
On first consideration you might feel that these two artists have little in common. Yet there are a number of features that align them, notably originality and being very independent. Both painters very much bring their subjects to life, whether that is the people or the animals they portrayed on canvas. In fact they often depict human/animal relationships in their work.
Jack B. Yeats, The Flapping Meeting, 1926, © Estate of Jack B. Yeats, DACS London / IVARO Dublin, 2019. Private Collection. \ Denis Mortell.
There is also a hugely important connection by way of admiration. Yeats died in 1957, when Freud was just 35 years of age. The latter lived until 2011. There is plenty of evidence that Freud was a big fan of Yeats, though it is thought likely they never met. However, a pen and ink drawing by Yeats, The Dancing Stevedores, hung on the wall beside Freud’s bed for more than two decades.
Furthermore, central to the current exhibition is a group of paintings by Yeats which Freud personally selected for a close friend. Some were acquired at auction, while others were bought through galleries. Freud’s enthusiasm for the work of Yeats is a wonderful commendation for this exhibition.
Horses play a pivotal role in many of the works of Yeats. One of the highlights of the show is a painting by Yeats, The Flapping Meeting. Painted in 1926, it is an example of a change in style for Yeats and is one of my personal favourites. It is also one of the pictures Freud recommended to his friend to purchase.
Jack B. Yeats, From the Tram Top, 1927, © Estate of Jack B. Yeats, DACS London / IVARO Dublin, 2019. Private Collection. \ Denis Mortell.
Another room features working horses in a number of works by Yeats, and this room also houses a small work by Freud, A Filly, and it actually depicts an animal he briefly owned. Even more stunning is Skewbald Mare, and this was painted just seven years before Freud died. The animal was housed in stables near the artist’s studio in Notting Hill.
Enough about the horses for now. Both Yeats and Freud painted people, and especially men, with great attention to detail. It is in this area that I feel Freud excels, though his style can and does divide opinion. One either loves it or not.
Girl with Roses, 1947-48 (oil on canvas), Freud, Lucian (1922-2011) / British Council, London, UK / © The Lucian Freud Archive. \ Bridgeman Images
Do not pass Two Irishman in WII, painted between 1984 and 1985, without spending some time to study it closely. It depicts a successful bookmaker from Northern Ireland looking quite solemn. His large frame, immaculately dressed in a three-piece suit and wearing a distinctive signet ring, is seated in front of his standing son. The contrast between the two men is stark, and yet they seem to complement each other.
Further examination of the picture reveals a detailed background of the London skylight, while two small works by Freud lie against the wall in the sparse room they occupy. It is outstanding work.
Girl with Beret, 1951 (oil on canvas), Freud, Lucian (1922-2011) / Manchester Art Gallery, UK / © The Lucian Freud Archive. \ Bridgeman Images
The Irish Museum of Modern Art is situated at Kilmainhan, Dublin and you should allow yourself time to see the other exhibitions on show. The famous Royal Hospital and its beautiful gardens should be explored, while the shop is a treasure trove for gift ideas. When you have had enough of all that, the restaurant is the place to go for delicious food and a reviving coffee.
Entry to Life Above Everything costs €8, with concessions. Other exhibitions are free to view. The current show runs until 19 January 2020.
Jack B. Yeats, White Shower, 1928, © Estate of Jack B. Yeats, DACS London / IVARO Dublin, 2019. Image courtesy of The Model, home of The Niland Collection.
Visit the IMMA website for more details.
Read more
The Front Row: if the walls could speak
The Front Row: RHA Annual Exhibition
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