CHATSWORTH SUMMER FINE ART SALE 18th & 19th June 2025

62 IMPERFECTIONS NOT STATED Fonsie Mealy’s Est. 1934 633. Sir William Orpen, KBE, RA, RI, RHA (1878-1931) “Self Portrait Sketch of the Artist, wearing hat with view of cottage and mountains in distance,” pencil ink, inscribed “Yours Very Faithfully, William Orpen, London 1927” approx. 13cms x 7cms (5” x 3”), mounted and framed. (1) €800 - €1200 634. Sir William Orpen, KBE, RA, RI, RHA (1878-1931) “Study of a Male Nude,” pen and ink, approx. 28cms x 14cms (11” x 5½”), mounted and framed. (1) €600 - €800 633 634 A File of Letters , mostly from Sir William Orpen to Crampton Walker in Dublin, relating to an exhibition of Irish art to be held in Brussels, at the Musées Royaux de Beaux-Arts, in May 1930. On 11th March 1930, writing to Crampton Walker from London, Orpen discussed his portrait of Sean Keating, Man of the West, which Walker hoped to borrow for an exhibition of Irish to be held in Brussels. Orpen also mentions two other works, My Father and Mother and Changing Billets, the latter a World War I scene. [part of the Alan and Mary Hobart collection, this painting of soldiers and searchlights sold at Christies on 19 Nov 2024 for £441,000] Three days later, Orpen thankedWalker and his wife for sending him Hepatica flowers and also thanked Walker for having his things sent over from the School of Art in Dublin. On 10th April, writing from Belgium, Orpen declined to lend two of his watercolours to the exhibition. In another letter he questioned the portrait of Keating being used for publicity. ‘The striking merits of the “Man of the West” are beyond question. The only point in discussion is its suitability as a poster, an advertisement, a picture characteristic of Ireland and awakening in the mind of the public the desired attraction towards an exhibition of foreign art.’ He recommended that a second poster be commissioned, featuring a landscape by Paul Henry. He agreed to lend his double portrait My Father and Mother, asking Crampton if he would like the gold background and tassels that went with the picture. On 18th April, writing again from London, he apologised for not being able to attend an event at ‘the Ham and Bone Club’, and hoping that he would see Walker and Dermod O’Brien when they were in London next. It seems there was interest in Belgium in acquiring Orpen’s Man of the West, but he declined to sell it for less than £1000. As m/ss., w.a.f. (1) Dr. Peter Murray 2025 €1000 - €1500 635. Sir William Orpen, KBE, RA, RI, RHA (1878-1931)