John Butler Yeats
, Irish, 1839-1922
Title
Portrait of Mrs CaugheyDate1916
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions
102 x 71 cm
Signedupper right: J.B. Yeats, 1916
Credit LinePresented, Mrs L. Caughey-Guest, 1961
Object numberNGI.1727
ProvenancePresented, Mrs L. Caughey-Guest, 1961Exhibition HistoryJohn Butler Yeats and the Irish Renaissance, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, 1972Label TextJohn Yeats benefited much from the patronage of well-to-do Americans. He painted a number of portraits of this society hostess, two of which were gifted to the National Gallery of Ireland by the sitter. Mary Caughey invited John Yeats to a soirée at her home in 1915 and their friendship lasted until his death. He wrote playfully to her in a letter dated 8 April 1916: ‘Did you ever throw a book at your daughter or your husband? If so be careful. They may write their memoirs.’