Executed c.1929, this abstract composition by Mainie Jellett (1897-1944) drew significant interest when it appeared at de Veres’ sale in Dublin on November 27.
It was one of her 'rotation' compositions which
she began producing in the early 1920s, starting out with single
elements rotating on a simple axis, but becoming more complex later
in the decade with rotations of up to eight elements (this example
has seven).
The work was also larger and bolder than most
examples and was described by the auctioneers as a major work.
The 3ft x 2ft 4in (92 x 71cm) oil on canvas had
a €30,000-50,000 estimate, which was an attractive pitch
considering the £70,000 hammer it had made at Sotheby's in May 2006
- still the highest auction price for Jellet, according to
Artnet.
In Dublin this time round, it was bought by one
of the underbidders at that former sale - an Irish client who bid
the same level they did back in 2006 - but who this time was
successful, securing the picture at €74,000 (£62,710).
In terms of auction prices Mainie Jellett, this was the third
highest on record - meaning this picture sits at the number-one and
number-three spots in the all-time results list. Sandwiched between
them is the €92,000 (£65,230) taken by another abstract composition
at Adam's in December 2006.
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