A private art collection including rarely seen paintings by Jack B Yeats and Louis le Brocquy will be auctioned this week.
Owned by the late Cork obstetrician Dr JB Kearney, it is valued at more than €1.5 million and includes more than 100 paintings and sculptures.
Only known about by a handful of people, the collection will go under the hammer at Adam's in Dublin on December 4th and 11th.
David Britton, Adam's director, said: "We are delighted to handle the sale of this gem of a collection, which has been hidden under lock and key, so to speak, for the past 30 years in JB Kearney's private household.
"For auction will be some of the most influential and important artworks of this century by blue-chip artists including Jack B Yeats, Paul Henry, Louis le Brocquy, Colin Middleton, FE McWilliam and Gerald Dillon, together with a diverse collection of paintings and drawings by international art icons such as Pablo Picasso, David Hockney, Dame Elisabeth Frink and Patrick Heron in the Contemporary and Modern Art Sale," he said.
Highlights of the collection include Torso, an oil painting by le Brocquy, expected to fetch between €120,000-€180,000, The Turf Carrier by Henry, valued at €150,000-€250,000 and The Tinker's Child by Yeats, with a pre-sale estimate of €250,000-€350,000.
From the post-war era, Green Abstract by Mainie Jellett (€30,000-€50,000) is another highlight, together with Dillon's colourful aerial depiction of Inishlacken, valued at between €50,000 and €70,000.
The early surrealist work Mary Magdalene And The Holy Trinity by Middleton (€40,000-€60,000) will also be up for grabs.
Dr Kearney was an active patron of the arts in his lifetime, quietly collecting contemporary Irish and international art over the years. He provided financial support to a number of up-and-coming artists, many of whom he knew personally.
He was a member of the Arts Council of Ireland, past president of the Friends of the National Collections of Ireland and on the organising committee for the Cork ROSC exhibitions.
"His collection is an impressive portfolio of 20th century artwork that was put together by a true art connoisseur who ultimately acquired what he loved over and above any monetary investment purpose," Mr Britton said.
The collection will be split across two sales at Adam's - the Important Irish Art Sale on December 4th in association with Bonhams, and the Contemporary and Modern Art Sale on December 11th.
The collection will be previewed over three days in advance of each auction at James Adam Salerooms, St Stephen's Green.