- Opinion
- 18 Sep 17
Jack B Yeats' Collection To Go Under The Hammer At Sotheby’s
The Irish government is being urged to intervene to ensure that the Jack B Yeats’ papers due for auction remain in the country for the benefit of the Irish people.
This collection up for auction comprises painting, drawings, prints, letters, furniture and personal items relating to famed painter, John Butler Yeats and his children.
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Arts and Heritage, Niamh Smyth TD says that the Minister for Arts Humphrey’s Department should intervene and purchase the collection to ensure they remain where they belong.
“This collection is of profound cultural and literary importance of Ireland and to the Irish people, and should be kept in the State," Smyth tells Hot Press.
“It would be a sorry day for us all if this collection was allowed to leave the State when there is an opportunity to keep them in Ireland.
“I am calling on the Minister to do the right thing and protect Ireland’s artistic legacy and ensure that either her Department or one of the agencies under its auspices purchases the collection for us all to enjoy
