Members of the Contemporary Club, 1886: John O'Leary, (1830-1907), Journalist

John Butler Yeats , Irish, 1839-1922

Title

Date1886

MediumGraphite on paper

Dimensions

16.8 x 22 cm

Credit LineTransferred, National Museum of Ireland, 1966

Object numberNGI.6081

DescriptionFounded in Dublin in 1885, the Contemporary Club was a forum for members to exchange ideas and to debate the social, political and literary questions of the day. Prominent members included Douglas Hyde, Michael Davitt, John O’Leary and W. B. Yeats. William Morris was a guest speaker in 1886. From 1888, JBY’s daughter Lily trained under Morris’s daughter May in the embroidery workshop at Kelmscott House in Oxfordshire. These animated sketches, done on the spot, capture the atmosphere of the Club, with members shown listening intently or arguing fervently.
ProvenanceDonated or sold by the Artist to the Contemporary Club, 1886; presented by the then secretary of the Club, Mr Nicholl, to the National Museum, 1945; transferred, National Museum of Ireland, 1966Exhibition 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

Label TextFounded in Dublin in 1885, the Contemporary Club was a forum for members to exchange ideas and to debate the social, political and literary questions of the day. Prominent members included Douglas Hyde, Michael Davitt, John O’Leary and W. B. Yeats. William Morris was a guest speaker in 1886. From 1888, JBY’s daughter Lily trained under Morris’s daughter May in the embroidery workshop at Kelmscott House in Oxfordshire. These animated sketches, done on the spot, capture the atmosphere of the Club, with members shown listening intently or arguing fervently.