Artwork
Portrait of Jack B. Yeats (1871-1957)
Portrait of Jack B. Yeats (1871-1957) is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist John Butler Yeats. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.
About this work
This painting depicts a young man with short, dark hair, dressed in a dark suit jacket, a light-colored shirt, and a bow tie.
This painting depicts a young man with short, dark hair, dressed in a dark suit jacket, a light-colored shirt, and a bow tie. The background is a mottled grey-brown color.
The subject's attire and hairstyle suggest a formal or professional setting, possibly from the late 19th century. The artist's use of muted colors and subtle shading creates a sense of understated elegance.
The artist who created this portrait is John Butler Yeats.
Overview
John Butler Yeats painted a portrait of his son Jack in 1896. Executed in oil on canvas, the work is part of the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection and is identified with the post‑impressionist tendency of the period.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is a young Jack Yeats, shown with short dark hair, a dark jacket, light‑coloured shirt and bow tie. The formal attire and composed pose convey a restrained, dignified presence typical of late‑nineteenth‑century portraiture.
Technique & Style
Butler Yeats employs a muted palette of greys and browns, allowing subtle tonal shifts to model the figure. The brushwork is loose enough to suggest post‑impressionist influences while retaining enough definition for a clear likeness.
History & Provenance
Created by the Irish painter John Butler Yeast—father of poet W. B. Yeats and of artists Lily and Elizabeth Yeats—the portrait entered the National Gallery of Ireland, where it remains on view.
Context
The painting reflects the artistic environment of Dublin in the 1890s, a time when the Yeats family was becoming prominent in Irish cultural circles. It also illustrates the father’s role as a mentor to his son, who would later achieve renown as a painter himself.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Butler Yeats RHA (16 March 1839 – 3 February 1922) was an Irish artist and the father of W.
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