THE internet is transforming art auctions. A packed saleroom at the RDS last Monday night for Whyte’s art auction was supplemented by online bidders in Britain, Belgium, China, Germany, Saudi Arabia and the United States – as well as traditional telephone bidders.
Watching the auction on a computer in New York was Liv Hempel (75) – daughter of the Germany envoy to Ireland during the second World War. She saw her portrait (as a four-year-old child in Dún Laoghaire) sell for €4,800 to Ann Woods from south Dublin – she had played with the Hempel children 70 years ago .
Auctioneer Ian Whyte was encouraged by the very large attendance at the viewing and the number of new buyers who registered for the auction. He said “The country isn’t totally bust,” noting that two-thirds of the paintings and sculptures on offer sold for a total of €560,000.
Meanwhile, Maynooth, Co Kildare-based auctioneers Brady Fitzgerald reported “by far our best auction in our short 18 month history” when they sold the contents of Esker House, Lucan, Co Dublin last Sunday.
Director Eamon O'Flaherty said the auction had attracted approximately approximately 700 viewers over two days and 183 registered bidders on the day. Of the 430 lots, which ranged from antique furniture to taxidermy, some 85 per cent sold. – MP
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/OG5QU2VZIJDGHESOL2AKTLF2IU.png)