John Butler Yeats, Irish, 1839-1922
Title: Edward Martyn (1859-1923), Philanthropist and Playwright
Date: 1899
Medium: Graphite on paper
Dimensions:
28.3 x 22.8 cm
Signed: centre: JBYeats/ 1899
Credit Line: Purchased, 1932
Object Number: NGI.2941
DescriptionEdward Martyn, of Tulira Castle, County Galway, was a close neighbour and friend of Lady Gregory of Coole Park. She commissioned this sketch portrait from JBY when he was living in London. Together with the artist Sarah Purser, Martyn founded An Túr Gloine, the Dublin stained-glass studio. He also founded the Palestrina Choir in Dublin’s Pro-Cathedral. Along with Lady Gregory and W. B. Yeats he launched the Irish Literary Theatre, which was committed to presenting Gaelic plays annually. He bequeathed two Degas pastels and a Monet painting to the Gallery in 1924.
ProvenancePurchased, Coole Park, Lady Gregory Sale, 1932
Exhibition HistoryLoan Collection of Pictures by Nathaniel Hone, R.H.A. and John Butler Yeats, R.H.A., no. 6 St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1901
Paintings and Drawings by John Butler Yeats from the Collection of Senator Michael B. Yeats and the National Gallery of Ireland, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, 1972
At a Glance - Portraits by John Butler Yeats, National Gallery of Ireland, 24 October 2015 - 17 January 2016
Paintings and Drawings by John Butler Yeats from the Collection of Senator Michael B. Yeats and the National Gallery of Ireland, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, 1972
At a Glance - Portraits by John Butler Yeats, National Gallery of Ireland, 24 October 2015 - 17 January 2016
Label TextEdward Martyn, of Tulira Castle, County Galway, was a close neighbour and friend of Lady Gregory of Coole Park. She commissioned this sketch portrait from JBY when he was living in London. Together with the artist Sarah Purser, Martyn founded An Túr Gloine, the Dublin stained-glass studio. He also founded the Palestrina Choir in Dublin’s Pro-Cathedral. Along with Lady Gregory and W. B. Yeats he launched the Irish Literary Theatre, which was committed to presenting Gaelic plays annually. He bequeathed two Degas pastels and a Monet painting to the Gallery in 1924.