Pic: The Liffey Swim, by Jack Yeats

Jack Yeats‘ 1915 painting ‘Bachelor’s Walk, In Memory’ is now on display in the Yeats Museum in the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin. What’s shocking is that this painting was the subject of a heist over twenty-five years ago. The painting was among four other works each worth 1 million pounds (stolen from the personal art collection of Lady Sheila Dunsary of Dunsary Castle). The painting resurfaced after it was seen in a Sotheby’s publication in London in 2007. Now on loan from a new anonymous owner, Yeats’ painting can be seen for the first time in public since 1971.

In case you’re not familiar with Yeats, I thought I’d share with you a little bit about him since not only was he probably the most famous 19th century Irish painter but he is also one of my favourite artists.

The talented John “Jack” Yeats was born in London in 1871 and was the brother of the W.B. Yeats, the famous poet and dramatist. But Jack Yeats was a great talent himself, first starting off as an illustrator and then later in life become known for his impressionist work. He was inspired by the Sligo landscape (his family home was there) and is also known for his depictions of horses and the circus. He also created works of art showing everyday Dublin life. Each of his impressionistic works, were done with his trademark thickly and vigorously applied colorful paint. (Interestingly, Yeats never took on any pupils so his works remain unique today.)

Unfortunately, I don’t have any image of the ‘Bachelor’s’ for you today; however, its probably only famous because of the heist and not necessarily the quality of the work. (Yeats has other more other famous works.) According to the Irish Independent, the painting was inspired by an incident in 1914 “when British soldiers opened fire killing four civilians as they returned from having halted a large party of Irish Volunteers transporting a supply of arms which landed at Howth.” It’s said that Yeats visited the area the day after the event happened and saw a woman leaving flowers and was immediately inspired to sketch what he saw. (Yeats is said to be a sympathizer of the Irish Republican cause but was not active on the scene.)

Many of Yeats’ works (along with some of his family members’) can be viewed along with ‘Bachelor’s Walk, In Memory’ now.

Source ; Source; Source; Image Source

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