Rare Lavery painting to be auctioned by Mee’s

A rare and historically significant painting associated with Sir John Lavery’s celebrated Madonna of the Lakes has been discovered during preparations for a major convent and ecclesiastical interiors sale in Newry this June.

The work emerged among contents from the former Sisters of Mercy Convent on Catherine Street and is now set to feature as one of the highlights of Victor Mee Auctions’ forthcoming three-day sale.

The painting is understood to be a smaller-scale version connected to Lavery’s renowned triptych altarpiece housed in St Patrick’s Church, Belfast. Experts believe it was presented by the artist to Fr John O’Neill around the time of the unveiling of the original work in 1919.

Its provenance has been significantly strengthened through both handwritten inscriptions and an official notice published in the Belfast Gazette following Fr O’Neill’s death in 1960.

Together, the evidence establishes a remarkable historical link between the painting, Fr O’Neill and the Sisters of Mercy order, within whose care the piece is believed to have remained for generations before recently re-emerging.

Sir John Lavery remains one of Ireland’s most important artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, internationally recognised for his portraits, society paintings and depictions of Irish political and cultural life. Works connected to his ecclesiastical commissions rarely appear on the open market, making the discovery particularly significant.

Victor Mee, auctioneer and director of Victor Mee Auctions, described the find as “one of the most remarkable, exciting and unexpected discoveries” encountered during preparations for the sale.

“Discoveries like this one are extremely rare,” he said. “The connection to Sir John Lavery’s celebrated ‘Madonna of the Lakes’, together with the documented provenance linking the painting to Fr John O’Neill and the Sisters of Mercy, make this a hugely significant and exciting piece, both historically and artistically.”

The painting is currently undergoing further expert assessment and is expected to attract strong interest from Irish and international collectors when it goes under the hammer on June 9, 10 and 11.

The sale, believed to be among the largest convent and ecclesiastical contents auctions ever held in Ireland, will also include rare McFall harps, Killarney work furniture, Irish silver, Belleek porcelain and a significant collection of ecclesiastical artworks and interiors.

Public viewing takes place at the former convent on Catherine Street, Newry, from Friday June 5 to Monday June 8 inclusive.

The full catalogue and registration details are available at victormeeauctions.ie