Press Release - July 2007
Yeats exhibition opens at National Gallery.'Masquerade and Spectacle'
The Circus and the Travelling Fair in the work of Jack B.Yeats

In association with Pioneer Investments

An exhibition of 26 paintings and sketchbooks on the theme of the circus and the traveling fair in the work of Jack B. Yeats, has opened in the Yeats Museum of the National Gallery of Ireland.

'Masquerade and Spectacle' commemorates the 50th anniversary of the death of Jack B. Yeats (1871-1957) one of Ireland's most loved painters. The exhibition shows how certain motifs such as the clown and the circus horse recurred in Yeats's work over many decades in paintings like Crystal Palace (1903); Double Jockey Act (1916) and They Come, They Come (1936). From his earliest years Yeats had a fascination with such theatrical spectacles as is evident from his sketchbooks, examples of which are also on view.

Raymond Keaveney, Director of the National Gallery, says that this exhibition builds on the wonderful body of material in the collection, augmented significantly through the gift of Yeats material presented in 1996 by the late Anne Yeats and the Yeats family.

In the accompanying catalogue to the show, Yeats Curator, Dr. Róisín Kennedy (NGI Fellowship Scholar), says that Yeats was attracted to the "spontaneous and unpredictable nature of live theatre and spectacle and the dynamic that it created between the performers and their audience."

The exhibition was formally opened Mr. Séamus Brennan T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism on Tuesday, 17th July.

"We are extremely proud of our association with the arts through our partnership with the National Gallery of Ireland", says Robert Richardson, Chief Executive Officer, Pioneer Investment Management Limited.

The exhibition continues until 11 November 2007. Admission is free.

Note to Editors: The National Gallery of Ireland has a select number of digital images available to accompany published critiques of the show. Images are available from the Gallery's Press Office (Email: press@ngi.ie). The Estate of Jack B. Yeats/ DACS (London), has advised that images must not be cropped.

Contact:
Valerie Keogh
Press & Communications Office
National Gallery of Ireland
Telephone (01) 663 3598
Email press@ngi.ie

Exhibition Catalogue:
Masquerade & Spectacle-The Circus and the Travelling Fair in the Work of Jack B. Yeats. Edited by Dr. Róisín Kennedy, Yeats Curator (NGI Fellowship Scholar). Published by the National Gallery of Ireland 2007, 72pp, 25 colour plates. Price €9.95pb, The Gallery Shop.

Yeats Summer Tours:
A series of free Yeats Summer Tours will take place over 5 Wednesdays at 3pm on the following dates: 25th July; 1st, 8th, 22nd & 29th August. All welcome. No booking necessary. Organised by the Gallery' Education Department (Telephone 01-663 3505)

'Masquerade and Spectacle'
The Circus and the Travelling Fair in the Work of Jack B. Yeats
In association with Pioneer Investments
18 July - 11 November 2007. National Gallery of Ireland (Yeats Museum).
Admission free.
Telephone (01) 6615133
Web www.nationalgallery.ie

List of Exhibits*:

1. Fortune and Her Wheel (1902). Sligo Municipal Coll. & Model Arts and Niland Gallery
2. Crystal Palace (c.1903). Private Collection
   
3. A Travelling Circus (1906). Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane
   
4. The Circus Chariot (1910). National Gallery of Ireland
   
5. An Occupation (1910). Private Collection
   
6. The Barrel Man (1912). Private Collection
   
7. The Maggie Man (1912). Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane
   
8. The Circus Dwarf (1912). Private Collection
9. The Circus Wagon (1912). Private Collection
10. Double Jockey Act (1916). National Gallery of Ireland
    
11. Chair-O-Planes (1926). Limerick City Gallery of Art
    
12. The Singing Clown (1928). Sligo Municipal Coll. & Model Arts and Niland Gallery
    
13. They Come, They Come (1936). Private Collection
    
14. This Grand Conversation was under the Rose (1943). National Gallery of Ireland
    
15. Alone (1944). Dr Michael Smurfit Collection
    
16. The Entertainers (1945). Private Collection, courtesy Karen Reihill
    
17. Let 'em go and Take Care of Yourselves (1948). Private Collection
    
18. The Last Dawn but One (1948). National Gallery of Ireland
    
19. The Cavalier's Farewell to his Steed (1949). National Gallery of Ireland
    
20. They Love Me (1950). Private Collection, courtesy Karen Reihill
    
21. Dress Rehearsal (1951). Sean Galvin Collection
    
22. The Circus has Come (1952). Private Collection

*In addition to the 22 paintings & watercolours, the exhibition includes sketchbooks and selected items from the NGI Yeats Archive.