Thursday, June 16, 2011

Jack Butler Yeats

Take, if you must, this little bag of dreams, Unloose the cord, and they will wrap you round.
~ William Butler Yeats


The famous Irish poet William Butler Yeats had a famous artist for a brother: James Butler Yeats. He lived from 1871–1957.

An interesting bit from Wikipedia about JB:

"Unusually, Yeats holds the distinction of being Ireland's first medalist at the Olympic Games in the wake of creation of the Irish Free State. At the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, Yeats' painting The Liffey Swim won a silver medal in the arts and culture segment of the Games."

A Summer Evening, Rosses Point, Sligo
by Jack Butler Yeats

Morning after Rain, 1923
by Jack Butler Yeats
Tate Museum

Communicating with Prisoners
by Jack Butler Yeats

The Swinford Funeral, 1918
by Jack Butler Yeats
The Walters Museum

The Man with the Wooden Leg, 1902
by Jack Butler Yeats

Susan Mary Yeats (his sister)
by Jack Butler Yeats

A Full Tram
by James Butler Yeats

High Spring Tide, Cork
by Jack Butler Yeats
Museum Fine Arts Boston

Irish Fairy Tales
edited by W. B. (William Butler) Yeats, illustrated by Jack B. Yeats

Links:

* Jack Butler Yeats liked to use the impasto painting technique. What is Impasto?
* Jack's cartoons
* Jack's last sketch before he died
* A Villanova exhibit on JB Yeats
* A bio of his brother, William Butler Yeats
* A book about their father, John Butler Yeats.
* A book by the brothers which is free for the Kindle.

1 comment:

HWY said...

Jack was a wonderful artist. He should be getting equal credit with his brother for his creativity.

The Liffey Swim is a strong, rich piece. Thoroughly enjoyed looking at it, too.