Two new publications on fine arts in Ireland launched

Two new publications will be of great interest to readers of this page, since they provide much useful information on fine art and antiques.

The first of these is the 18th volume of the Irish Arts Review yearbook. Among the articles included in this latest number is a study of the late 18th century Irish furniture maker William Moore, written by Rosemary Luddy.

An example of Moore's elegant workmanship is shown here, a demi-lune side-table dating from around 1785 and made from satinwood, tulipwood, harewood and other materials; the piece is now in the collection of New York's Cooper-Hewitt Museum.

Among other articles which ought to be mentioned is an examination of the art of William Conor by Eileen Black and Pat Donlon's discussion on Irish women artists as illustrators.

First published by the late Brian de Breffny in 1984, the Irish Arts Review has become a stalwart of cultural life here, our nearest equivalent to the likes of The Burlington or Apollo magazines, in which well-written and well-illustrated scholarly features can find an audience.

Since 1994, the publication has been edited by former director of the National Gallery of Ireland Homan Potterton, who more recently also took over the position of publisher. Mr Potterton has now opted to relinquish both roles and the review's new publisher is John Mulcahy, who is also responsible for The Phoenix.

While a new editor has yet to be appointed - the position was advertised a couple of weeks ago - it has already been decided that from next spring the review will appear quarterly; a reversion to the form it took when first published.

It will certainly be interesting to see whether this is more financially successful than was formerly the case, especially in a market where an increasing number of titles are competing for what is at present a shrinking amount of advertising.

In any case, the last Irish Arts Review in its present format is currently on sale for £26 (paperback) and £40 (hardcover). One especially valuable feature of the review for the past few years has been the inclusion of a full listing of prices achieved by Irish art at public auction during the previous year.

The second edition of a book offering similar information has just appeared.

The original A Buyer's Guide to Irish Art contained a number of errors and omissions which rather marred its intended purpose but on first perusal, this new version is a considerable improvement on its predecessor.

There are a number of essays which may or may not be of much assistance, but the greater part of the work is taken up with an alphabetical listing of Irish artists and then all works by them sold in recent years given in descending order of the prices paid at auction.

Brief biographical sketches are provided of many of the painters featured and the book carries many illustrations in both colour and black and white.

A Buyer's Guide to Irish Art is now widely for sale priced at £29.99.