About the Artists Database

The NIVAL Artists Database has been compiled in order to improve public access to the Library's extensive information files on 20th century and contemporary Irish artists.  These files contain exhibition catalogues, newspaper cuttings and ephemera on over 3,500 artists born or based in Ireland.

The Artists Database is a reference resource providing basic biographical and work details on each artist abstracted from the information contained in the hard copy files held in the Library.  It is important to realise that the records are a summary of the information held in each artist's file.  A visit to NIVAL is recommended to researchers seeking a comprehensive view of the actual files.

Although we have endeavoured to ensure the information is correct, it is inevitable, given the diverse sources of information, that some inaccuracies may occur.  Changes and updates are made on an ongoing basis and the Library welcomes suggestions, criticism, and donations of relevant material.

Filter Artists:

Advanced Search Tips
  • Reference Code:IE/NIVAL AR/2426
  • First Name: John Butler
  • Last Name: Yeats
  • Gender: Male
  • Date of Birth: 1839
  • Date of Death: 1922
  • Place of Birth: Down
  • Nationality: Irish
  • Area Of Practice:
    • Painting
    • Graphic Design
  • Artwork Type Technique:
    • Oil Painting
    • Illustration
    • Drawings
  • Abstract/Figurative: Abstract
  • Genre:
    • Portraiture
  • Represented By: Not Specified
  • Public Art: No
  • Size: 19
  • Manuscript Material: No
  • Physical Location: Artist Files Collection
  • Public Collection:
    • Ulster Museum, Belfast.
    • Crawford Municipal Gallery, Cork.
    • Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery, Dublin.
    • National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin.
    • Limerick City Gallery of Art (includes National Collection of Contemporary Drawing).
    • Numerous - see file

other Info Source:

Snoddy's Dictionary of Irish Artists, 20th Century (1996)

Bibliography

Crookshank, Anne and Glin, Knight of, The Watercolours of Ireland, London, Barrie & Jenkins, 1994

Education

1862 Trinity College Dublin, Classics, Metaphysics and Logic.
No Date Heatherley's Academy, London.
No Date Slade School of Art, London.
No Date Royal Academy Schools, London.

Conservation Required

photocopy newspaper cuttings catalogues to be scanned

Notes

Yeats was a portrait painter and illustrator. He was also the father of artists Jack B., Elizabeth and Lily Yeats and the poet W. B. Yeats. His paintings are filled with psychological insight and delight in his subjects and are represented in numerous prestigious public collections. His sitters included Horace Plunkett, Edward Dowden, Synge, Willie Fay and his son W.B. Yeats. In 1892 Yeats was elected a member of the RHA. He received several important commissions throughout his career including a commission by Hugh Lane in 1903 to paint a series of portraits of distinguished Irishmen. File contains an extensive collection of newspaper clippings, catalogues, images and hand written notes by Bruce Arnold.