Who painted Portrait of William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), Poet?

Portrait of William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), Poet was painted by John Butler Yeats in 1900.

Where can I see Portrait of William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), Poet?

Portrait of William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), Poet is held by National Gallery of Ireland.

What movement is Portrait of William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), Poet?

Portrait of William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), Poet is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), Poet?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), Poet are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), Poet

John Butler Yeats , 1900

Portrait of William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), Poet is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist John Butler Yeats. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1900, this oil portrait presents the Irish poet William Butler Yeats, rendered by his father, the painter John Butler Yeats. The work is part of the National Gallery of Ireland’s holdings and exemplifies the post‑impressionist tendency toward expressive brushwork and heightened color contrasts.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter appears as a thoughtful figure: dark‑haired, bespectacled, and clothed in a somber coat. His pallid complexion and direct gaze convey a sense of introspection, reflecting the poet’s literary reputation for exploring mysticism and national identity.

Technique & Style

The composition relies on a stark chiaroscuro scheme, with a nearly black backdrop that isolates the illuminated face. Soft, discernible brushstrokes outline the eyes and mouth, while the surrounding darkness intensifies the light’s effect, a hallmark of the post‑impressionist approach to mood and form.

History & Provenance

John Butler Yeats, a member of the Royal Hibernian Academy, painted this piece during a period of growing interest in Irish cultural figures. The portrait entered the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection, where it remains accessible to the public as part of the institution’s Irish art assemblage.

Context

At the turn of the twentieth century, both father and son were central to Ireland’s artistic renaissance. The painting not only records a personal familial connection but also serves as a visual counterpart to the poet’s burgeoning influence within the Irish Literary Revival.