Bathing nuns and a Brittany pub scene

A William Leech bought for £150 in the 1950s has an upward estimate of €400,000 at Adam’s

AT FIRST glance, William John Leech’s painting, (pictured far right), could be the interior of an Irish pub. But the clogs worn by the men, the art on the wall and the array of exotic and colourful liqueurs behind the bar locate it to Brittany in France. Titled Interior of a Cafe, it dates from 1908 and was exhibited in Dublin the following year when the Irish Times commented on the artist’s “brilliance of execution” and “mastery of composition”. It sold for £63.

Art inflation in the first half of the 20th century was extremely modest. In 1950, the painting was re-sold by the Dawson Gallery for £150 and bought by the father of the present owner. It will go under the hammer, once again, at Adam’s art auction next Wednesday. And the estimate – €200,000–€400,000 – proves that buying art can, occasionally, turn out to be a very shrewd investment.

William John Leech (1881-1968) was a Dublin-born painter who spent much of his life living and working in France and then England. He is best known for A Convent Garden, Brittany which hangs in the National Gallery of Ireland – and was one of the 10 “masterpieces” shortlisted for the recent RTÉ poll to find “Ireland’s favourite painting”.

Adam’s is also offering two smaller paintings by Leech in this sale: The Apple Orchard, estimated at €15,000-€20,000 and Selling Songs, €5,000-€7,000.

A picture which has raised smiles from pedestrians passing by Adam’s window display is Norah McGuinness’s depiction of nuns – wearing full regalia – enjoying a day out on the Irish coast. The title of the painting is, appropriately, The Nun’s Cove – also the name of a well-known fishing spot in Donegal Bay which may be the location used by the artist. The estimate is €20,000-€30,000. The painting last sold – also at Adam’s – for €34,000 six years ago.

Other big names to feature in the auction include Paul Henry, Walter Frederick Osborne and Jack B Yeats.

There is likely to be much interest in the most expensively estimated lot, a 1951 painting titled Indoors, Outdoor by Louis le Brocquy. This last sold – also at Adam’s – in 1989 when it was bought by the current owner for a then world-record price for the artist of £60,000. The estimate now is €500,000-€800,000.

Viewing at Adam’s, St Stephen’s Green, begins tomorrow at 2pm.