A watercolour portrait of Samuel Beckett (above) by his friend, the major Irish painter Louis le Brocquy (1916-2012), is to be auctioned in Dublin to raise funds for a signficant new Beckett project. The lot is included in the Adam’s Important Irish Art sale which takes place on Wednesday 27 September in Dublin and which will be accesible on line internationally.
Le Brocquy first met Samuel Beckett through their mutual friend Con Leventhal. He remained in contact and collaborated on projects with the playwright until his death in 1989. Their friendship enabled le Brocquy to produce a series of especially poignant, psychological works between 1979 and 2005, which belong to the artist’s wider Portrait Head series. In these works, le Brocquy sought to evoke the inner qualities of writers and artists whose work influenced cultural memory. The picture on sale is a watercolour from 1992.
All funds raised by the sale of the picture will go towards the project Atelier Samuel Beckett which has been undertaken by Judy Hegarty-Lovett and Conor Lovett of Gare St Lazare. Atelier Beckett will comprise an artist-led, Beckett inspired residency in a private house with a dedicated library of books by and about the author. Located in the village of Mericourt, France, it is aimed at offering artists time and space to reflect, develop their practice and create in a rural environment devoted to Beckett’s works.
The picture in question is a fascinating connection to two artists of enormous significance and its sale will contribute to an important development in Beckett’s artistic legacy. It will be of huge interest to many Beckettians including those with deep pockets, it is hoped.
The Samuel Beckett Society 