George William Russell Paintings & Artwork for Sale | George William Russell Art Value Price Guide

Mar. 26, 2025
George Russell AE (1867-1935) Figures Beneath The Branch, Dappled in Sunlight Oil on canvas, 37cm x 45cm (14¾ x 17¾) Signed with monogram Provenance: Sale, these rooms, 1 April 2008, lot 121
Est: €6,000 - €10,000
George Russell AE (1867-1935) Figures Beneath The Branch, Dappled in Sunlight Oil on canvas, 37cm x 45cm (14¾ x 17¾) Signed with monogram Provenance: Sale, these rooms, 1 April 2008, lot 121
Adam's
Mar. 26, 2025
George Russell AE (1867-1935) Figures in a Sunlit Wooded Landscape Oil on canvas, 40cm x 55cm (15¾ x 21¾) Provenance : Sale, Whyte's, Dublin, 21 September 2004, Lot 148
Est: €5,000 - €8,000
George Russell AE (1867-1935) Figures in a Sunlit Wooded Landscape Oil on canvas, 40cm x 55cm (15¾ x 21¾) Provenance : Sale, Whyte's, Dublin, 21 September 2004, Lot 148
Adam's
Mar. 26, 2025
George Russell AE (1867-1935) An Apparition, 1921 Oil on canvas, 55cm x 63cm (21¾ x 24¾) Signed in monogram lower right, Provenance : Sale, Whyte's Dublin, 30 April 2008, Lot 118 Born in Lurgan, County Armagh in 1867 George W. Russell c
Est: €8,000 - €12,000
George Russell AE (1867-1935) An Apparition, 1921 Oil on canvas, 55cm x 63cm (21¾ x 24¾) Signed in monogram lower right, Provenance : Sale, Whyte's Dublin, 30 April 2008, Lot 118 Born in Lurgan, County Armagh in 1867 George W. Russell commenced studies at the Metropolitan School of Art in 1884. It was here that the young artist first met William Butler Yeats with whom he would share a formative yet fraught friendship for the rest of his life. Soon after beginning art school Russell began experiencing visions, claiming to have had his first encounter with elemental beings in the hills near Dublin. These Blakean apparitions were an important touchstone for Russell throughout his life and were a vital impetus in the creation of artworks such as this one, dating from 1921. Russell’s mystical leanings led to his affiliation with the Theosophical Society. Drawing upon Buddhism and Hinduism, this movement proposes the essential oneness of religions and the fundamental unity of all humankind. The Dublin Lodge of the Theosophical Society was comprised of non-conformists who lived together in a house at No. 3 Upper Ely Place, in a manner that would today be considered akin to that of an ashram or commune. Russell’s devotion to Theosophy is evidenced in his first book of collected poems, Homeward: Songs by the way' which was published in 1894 and secured his role as a central figure of the Irish Literary Renaissance. Russell originally wrote under the nom de plume AEON. The oft-told and possibly apocryphal tale goes that AEON was altered to AE as a result of a printer's error in the aforementioned book. This became the pseudonym the artist adopted and modified to the character Æ when signing paintings, as can be seen in the bottom right corner of this exquisite piece. Theosophical tenets were a particularly vital catalyst in early 20th century Ireland, because they precipitated a newfound interest in Celtic mythology. This is manifest throughout AE’s entire oeuvre and exemplified in this painting. The androgynous golden being that dominates this image is most probably Lugh, chief of the Tuatha Dé Danann who can be identified by the rod of flame that he holds. The presence of Lugh reflects Russell's deep interest in mining Irish folklore as a source of creative potential. In the 1890s he wrote “The Tuatha Dé Danaan (...) were different from the Gods of ancient Greece and India in that they were men who had made themselves Gods by magical or Druidical power. Superhuman in power and beauty; they raised themselves above nature; they played with the elements, they moved with ease in the air”. The elemental being in this painting splits the canvas with a striking diagonal axis that lends dynamism to the composition. The craggy peaks forming the backdrop are unusual for AE’s paintings, but the motif -of an otherworldly entity startling countryfolk- reoccurs throughout his oeuvre. Another particular variation of this theme can be seen in Couple and a Spirit with a Lute, in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland. This painting exemplifies why AE is a singular figure in the history of Irish art. While there are several notable examples of Irish literary Modernism, visual art in Ireland was late to embrace progressive approaches. Russell’s paintings can be compared to those of Gustave Moreau and Odilon Redon and in this way he is one of few -if not the only- examples of Irish art that reveals influences of Symbolism. Interest in AE’s work is perennial and the significance of his paintings has been reappraised in recent years, as art historians have begun to understand the meanings of the complex visual vocabulary he developed which had previously all too often been dismissed as merely whimsical. Pádraic E. Moore, Spring 2025
Adam's
Dec. 02, 2024
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) GOOD-BYE
Est: €5,000 - €7,000
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) GOOD-BYE oil on canvas signed in monogram lower left; with faint inscriptions on stretcher on reverse; with gilt plaque detailing title and artist's name affixed to frame lower centre h:16 w:20 in. Provenance: Whyte's, 10 October 2011, lot 49; Private collection
Whyte's
Dec. 02, 2024
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) CHILDREN PLAYING IN A WOOD
Est: €8,000 - €12,000
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) CHILDREN PLAYING IN A WOOD oil on canvas signed with monogram lower left h:20.50 w:24 in. Provenance: Gifted by the artist; Private collection; Gifted to the present owner George Russell is commemorated with a plaque describing him as "Poet, painter, economist and mystic" at his former home at 17 Rathgar Avenue, Dublin where he lived from 1911 to 1933. It is quite possible the present work took inspiration from the grounds of Bushy Park, Terenure - located less than a 30 minute walk from the artist's home - however, it is also reminiscent of his woodland scenes of Raheen in Galway and other untitled examples of glades and woodlands which have appeared at auction since the 1980s. Russell, who wrote and painted under the pseudonym Æ (derived from an earlier "Æ'on" signifying the lifelong quest of man) was a central figure in the Irish Literary Revival or Celtic Twilight of the late 19th century. 17 Rathgar Avenue was a hub for this movement and Æ, together with his wife Violet, hosted "at homes" there, attended by W.B. Yeats, Michael Collins, Oliver St John Gogarty and James Joyce among many others. W.B. Yeats in The Trembling of the Veil (1922) wrote of Æ, "At the time I write of him, he was the religious teacher, and that alone-his painting, his poetry, and his conversation all subservient to that one end. Men watched him with awe or with bewilderment; it was known that he saw visions continually, perhaps more continually than any modern man since Swedenborg; and when he painted and drew in pastel what he had seen, some accepted the record without hesitation, others, like myself, noticing the academic Graeco-Roman forms, and remembering his early admiration for the works of Gustave Moreau, divined a subjective element, but no one doubted his word." Children Playing in a Wood, with its dappled light and impish figures, typifies the artist's style. Like all of his oeuvre, whether it be site specific scenes in Dublin, Connemara or Donegal, it is imbued with an otherworldliness that connects back to his fascination with the occult and sets his oeuvre apart from that of his contemporaries. The present work was a gift from the artist to his friend's daughter who, it was recalled to the present owner, played 'chasing fairies' with the artist in Bushy Park. Demand for Æ's paintings and interest in him remains strong with the opening of a permanent national and international appreciation society dedicated to his memory at the United Arts Club, Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin (which he helped found in 1907) opening in 2023. Portraits of Æ as well as numerous examples of his work can be found in the National Gallery of Ireland, the Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin and many other public and private collections nationally and internationally. Adelle Hughes November 2024
Whyte's
Sep. 30, 2024
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) THE GATHERING (LANDSCAPE WITH WOMEN BY A CHALK PIT)
Est: €6,000 - €8,000
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) THE GATHERING (LANDSCAPE WITH WOMEN BY A CHALK PIT) oil on canvas signed in monogram lower right h:16 w:21 in. Provenance: Sotheby’s, New York, 22 January 1992, lot 156; Donated to the Seattle Art Museum for a fundraising sale; Whence purchased by private collector, 9 October 1993; Whyte's, 28 April 2008, lot 116; Private collection
Whyte's
Sep. 25, 2024
George Russell, A.E. (1867-1935) Woman and Children by the Shore Oil on canvas, 40 x 53cm (15_ x 20_'') Signed with monogram
Est: €6,000 - €8,000
George Russell, A.E. (1867-1935) Woman and Children by the Shore Oil on canvas, 40 x 53cm (15_ x 20_'') Signed with monogram
Adam's
Jul. 17, 2024
GEORGE RUSSELL AE (1867 - 1935) Figural Sketches of Riza Pasha, Lady Minna O’Connor and others Pen & Ink on embossed paper, 33 x 20cm Signed with initials and inscribed
Est: €600 - €1,000
GEORGE RUSSELL AE (1867 - 1935) Figural Sketches of Riza Pasha, Lady Minna O’Connor and others Pen & Ink on embossed paper, 33 x 20cm Signed with initials and inscribed
Adam's
Jun. 25, 2024
Attributed to George William Russell (Irish, 1867-1935), Lake scene with cottage, oil on card, 18 x 22cm
Est: £800 - £1,200
Attributed to George William Russell (Irish, 1867-1935) Lake scene with cottage oil on card monogrammed
Gorringes
Mar. 27, 2024
George Russell AE (1867-1935) Landscape with Children Oil on canvas, 38 x 44cm (15 x 17¼) Signed lower right Provenance: With The Bell Gallery, Belfast, 1970 Exhibited: Armagh County Museum AE: Painting and Manuscripts, January 1984
Est: €3,000 - €5,000
George Russell AE (1867-1935) Landscape with Children Oil on canvas, 38 x 44cm (15 x 17¼) Signed lower right Provenance: With The Bell Gallery, Belfast, 1970 Exhibited: Armagh County Museum AE: Painting and Manuscripts, January 1984
Adam's
Dec. 04, 2023
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) WOMAN ON MARBLE HILL STRAND, COUNTY DONEGAL
Est: €6,000 - €8,000
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) WOMAN ON MARBLE HILL STRAND, COUNTY DONEGAL oil on canvas signed with monogram lower right h:16 w:21 in.
Whyte's
May. 29, 2023
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) THE BATHERS
Est: €10,000 - €15,000
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) THE BATHERS oil on canvas signed with monogram lower right h:16 w:21 in. Provenance: Whyte's, 26 November 2007, lot 88; Private collection
Whyte's
May. 29, 2023
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) FIGURES BY THE SHORE
Est: €5,000 - €7,000
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) FIGURES BY THE SHORE oil on canvas signed with monogram lower left h:14 w:18 in.
Whyte's
Apr. 18, 2023
George William Russell (AE) (1867-1935) Two Girls Before A Ringfort (c.1920)
Est: €4,000 - €6,000
George William Russell (AE) (1867-1935) Two Girls Before A Ringfort (c.1920) oil on canvas h:40.50 w:53.50 cm. Provenance: Whyte's, Dublin, 28th April 2008 lot 117; Whyte's, Dublin, 28th November 2011 lot 102; Private Collection Although George Russell painted conventional portraits and landscapes, he is far better known for his visionary scenes; paintings that depict a world in which faeries and sprites, no less than human beings, are absolutely present. Sometimes, as in Two Girls Below a Ringfort, it is difficult to determine is he setting out to depict an actual scene, or an inner vision. The faces of the two girls are featureless; they might well be spirit figures. Above them, the stone walls of the ringfort, more correctly 'cahir', are surmounted by wooden posts. One of thousands dotted across the Irish landscape, the circular fort dates back to the Iron Age. Russell has depicted it on a bluff, overlooking a beach and shallow inlet, across which the girls pick their way. As with many of his paintings, it is a tranquil, evening scene. The sky is misty, suffused with sunshine, and tinged with purple. In the distance can be seen a range of hills, surrounding the bay. In the foreground, stepping through shallow waters, the two girls appear lost in thought as the day draws to a close. Painted probably around 1920, Two Girls Below a Ringfort evokes a world of childhood, set within an ancient landscape. Judging by the topography, the location is likely to be county Mayo, perhaps Blacksod Bay; This was the setting for Carlo Point Edge, another painting by Russell. Russell and Frank O'Connor (Michael O'Donovan) met in 1925, with Russell becoming friend and mentor to the young author. He gifted Two Girls Below a Ringfort to O'Connor, perhaps in recognition of the author's campaign to preserve ancient Irish monuments. Russell even painted a portrait of Frank O'Connor's mother in old age, but she disliked it, saying that it made her 'look like a poisoner'. In creating his own style of painting, Russell, also known as "AE", borrowed from both the Symbolist and Impressionist movements, and in terms of atmosphere and colour his paintings are reminiscent of the canvases of Gustave Moreau. However, he was also a political and social activist who was down to earth in his thinking. Largely as a result of his work with the agricultural co-operative movement, and his editorship of the newspaper The Irish Homestead, Russell's landscapes, often of Sligo, Donegal or Mayo, are informed by an understanding of life in the West of Ireland. His country people, young and old, are lost in thought, and often seem tinged with sadness. while his spirit figures are equally enveloped in a nostalgic haze, as they pine for a lost world. Peter Murray, March 2023 Peter Murray, March 2023
Morgan O'Driscoll
Dec. 07, 2022
George Russell Æ (1867-1935) Figures in a Mountain Landscape Oil on canvas, 45 x 65cm (17¾ x 25½ )
Est: €6,000 - €8,000
George Russell Æ (1867-1935) Figures in a Mountain Landscape Oil on canvas, 45 x 65cm (17¾ x 25½ )
Adam's
Dec. 07, 2022
George Russell AE (1867 - 1935) Children Playing in a Woodland Glade Oil on canvas, 53.5 x 81.5cm (21 x 32) Signed Provenance: Collection of the Late President Erskine Childers, thence by descent
Est: €10,000 - €15,000
George Russell AE (1867 - 1935) Children Playing in a Woodland Glade Oil on canvas, 53.5 x 81.5cm (21 x 32) Signed Provenance: Collection of the Late President Erskine Childers, thence by descent
Adam's
Dec. 06, 2022
A.E. (George Russell)Â Selected Poems, 8vo, L. 1935,Â First Edn., portrait title page, blind decor
Est: €80 - €120
A.E. (George Russell) Selected Poems, 8vo, L. 1935, First Edn., portrait title page, blind decor blue cloth; O'Grady (S.) The Triumph of Cuchulainn, 8vo D. (Talbot) n.d., illus. frontis, gilt lettered Celtic design cloth; Robinson (L.) Lady Gregory's Journal's 1916-1930, 8vo D. 1946, First Edn., cloth and d.j.; Coxhead (E.) Lady Gregory A Literary Portrait, 8vo, L. 1961, photo frontis, cloth; Morgan (C.) Epitaph on George Moore, 8vo, L. 1935, frontis, cloth backed marble boards, as a lot, w.a.f. (5)
Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers
Sep. 28, 2022
George Russel 'AE' (1867 - 1935) Coastal Landscape with Two Figures on a Headland Oil on canvas, 41 x 53cm (16 x 21) Signed with monogram
Est: €5,000 - €8,000
George Russel 'AE' (1867 - 1935) Coastal Landscape with Two Figures on a Headland Oil on canvas, 41 x 53cm (16 x 21) Signed with monogram
Adam's
Jun. 06, 2022
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) THE TENNIS PLAYERS
Est: €10,000 - €15,000
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) THE TENNIS PLAYERS oil on canvas signed in monogram lower left; inscribed on label on reverse h:21 w:32 in.
Whyte's
Jun. 01, 2022
George Russell AE (1867 - 1935) Figure in Woodland Oil on canvas, 81.4 x 53.5cm (32 x 21) Provenance: Gifted by the artists to Mr Robert Fearon; Private Collection, Co. Dublin
Est: €10,000 - €15,000
George Russell AE (1867 - 1935) Figure in Woodland Oil on canvas, 81.4 x 53.5cm (32 x 21) Provenance: Gifted by the artists to Mr Robert Fearon; Private Collection, Co. Dublin
Adam's
Apr. 26, 2022
George William Russell (AE) (1867-1935) Two Girls on a Beach
Est: €8,000 - €12,000
George William Russell (AE) (1867-1935) Two Girls on a Beach oil on canvas signed with monogram 'AE' lower left h:53.30 w:80.60 cm. Provenance: Private Collection A light-filled Impressionist scene of a beach, this canvas both reflects George Russell's love of the West of Ireland and also encapsulates his world of the imagination. In the shadow of a sand dune, two girls shelter from the sun. One sits forward, while the other reclines, hands clasped around her knees. Although lost in a reverie, both girls gaze attentively out across a blue expanse of sea. In the distance, seen through a haze, mountains rise over a wide bay. Like many of Russell's paintings, this is a scene full of a sense of magic and enchantment. The seascape behind the girls could be real, or equally could be a dream. The sky is a delicate pale blue, as is the sea, while tints of blue animate shadows cast by the dune. There are no harsh contrasts of light and shade, and the entire canvas is characterised by careful harmonies of colour and subject-matter. Although practical, and in touch with politics and changes in society, Russell also believed in the existence of an alternative universe inhabited by ethereal beings. Influenced by Symbolist artists such as Gustave Moreau and Puvis de Chavannes, he studied Theosophy and esoteric religions, giving expression to this late-Romantic vision through a prolific output of paintings, novels, plays and poetry. In this painting, Russell evokes a world of wistful nostalgia, enveloping his figures in a Romantic haze. Often set in Mayo, Sligo and Donegal, his landscapes with figures are invariably tinged with this sense of nostalgia for times past. Born in Lurgan, Co. Armagh, as a child Russell moved to Dublin with his family. After studying at the Metropolitan School of Art, in 1887 he began working for the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society, and edited the IAOS newspaper, the Irish Homestead. Alongside these practical concerns, Russell found time to study esoteric religions, joining the Dublin Theosophical Society in 1888, and later forming the 'Hermetic Society'. He was also involved with drama, in 1902 becoming vice-president of the Irish National Theatre Society (later the Abbey Theatre Company). His plays include Deirdre, (1902), while his first book of poetry, Homeward: Songs by the Way, published in 1894, was followed by his 1913 Collected Poems. In addition to painting, plays and poetry, Russell wrote on agricultural policy and political theory, in The Building up of a Rural Civilisation (1910), and The National Being (1916). He was highly regarded as an artist, and, in 1913, with the support and encouragement of the lawyer John Quinn, his paintings were shown at the Armory Show in New York. Encouraged also by William Butler Yeats, Russell painted murals depicting his mystical visions, at 3 Upper Ely Place, headquarters of the Theosophical Society. He also painted portraits, of Yeats, Lady Gregory, and others. Peter Murray, March 2022
Morgan O'Driscoll
Mar. 07, 2022
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) LANDSCAPE NORTH OF MUCKISH, COUNTY DONEGAL
Est: €3,000 - €5,000
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) LANDSCAPE NORTH OF MUCKISH, COUNTY DONEGAL oil on canvas signed with monogram on reverse h:16 w:21 in. Provenance: Collection of Lady Augusta Gregory, Coole Park; Private collection
Whyte's
Mar. 07, 2022
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) TWO FIGURES ON SHORE
Est: €6,000 - €8,000
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) TWO FIGURES ON SHORE oil on canvas signed with monogram lower left h:16 w:21 in. Provenance: Collection of Lady Augusta Gregory, Coole Park; Private collection
Whyte's
Mar. 07, 2022
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) SWANS AT COOLE
Est: €6,000 - €8,000
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) SWANS AT COOLE oil on canvas signed with monogram lower right h:21 w:32 in. Provenance: Collection of William Butler Yeats; Thence to Anne Yeats; From whom purchased by the present owner Literature: Reproduced on the jacket of Irish Writers and their Creative Process, edited by Jacqueline Genet and Wynne Hellegouarc'h, Colin Smythe Ltd, 1996
Whyte's
Mar. 07, 2022
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) CELESTIAL FIGURE
Est: €800 - €1,200
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) CELESTIAL FIGURE pastel h:10 w:7 in. Provenance: Collection of Constance Sitwell; Private collection
Whyte's
Mar. 07, 2022
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) SEATED SPIRIT
Est: €800 - €1,200
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) SEATED SPIRIT crayon signed with monogram lower right h:11.25 w:8.50 in. Provenance: Collection of Constance Sitwell; Private collection Literature: Reproduced on the cover of the paperback edition of The Middle Kingdom, The Faerie World of Ireland by Dermot MacManus, Colin Smythe Ltd, 1973
Whyte's
Sep. 29, 2021
George Russell AE (1867-1935) Portrait of Osborn Bergin, Celtic Scholar Pastel, 29.5 x 22.5cm (11½ x 8¾) Signed with initials AE Provenance: Sale, these rooms, c.1974; Collection of Antoinette & Patrick J. Murphy
Est: €400 - €600
George Russell AE (1867-1935) Portrait of Osborn Bergin, Celtic Scholar Pastel, 29.5 x 22.5cm (11½ x 8¾) Signed with initials AE Provenance: Sale, these rooms, c.1974; Collection of Antoinette & Patrick J. Murphy
Adam's
Sep. 29, 2021
George Russell Æ (1867-1935) Gathering Firewood Oil on canvas, 53 x 80cm (20¾ x 31½) Signed with monogram Born in Co. Armagh, George Russell moved to Dublin when he was eleven. His interest in painting led him to undertake evening classe
Est: €15,000 - €20,000
George Russell Æ (1867-1935) Gathering Firewood Oil on canvas, 53 x 80cm (20¾ x 31½) Signed with monogram Born in Co. Armagh, George Russell moved to Dublin when he was eleven. His interest in painting led him to undertake evening classes at the Metropolitan School of Art and it was here that he met and befriended William Butler Yeats. Yeats encouraged Russell in his more creative pursuits and introduced him to Theosophy, a religious study that places emphasis on the natural world and mystical experience. Russell immersed himself in these teachings and he began to write for journals such as the Irish Theosophist. It was in these articles that his pseudonym, AE, first appeared, a shortened version of Aeon and a nod towards an eternal being. His beliefs also carried through into his artwork. In some pieces, Russell blatantly made reference to supernatural occurrences, depicting imp-like figures in fairy-tale worlds. Others, such as the current lot, are more subtle in their approach, caressing everyday scenes with an arcadian cloak. Here, the birch wood is transformed into a leafy idyll. The dappled sunshine spots the ground below whilst the foliage glitters in the descending rays. Three figures move through the trees, engaged in collecting firewood. By blurring their faces, Russell creates a sense of mystery around their identity, elevating them slightly from the human realm and allowing them to pass seamlessly through this magical vista. Russells impressionistic approach further dulls our sense of reality, the soft textures mimicking the fuzzy warmth of dreams. It was Russells desire to nurture an Irish school of art, a rival to those emerging on the European continent, but, in 1928, Russell left Dublin and embarked on a series of US lecture tours. He prioritised his literary works over his painting and never quite reached the acclaim that he deserved during his lifetime. Russell died in 1935 as a poet, critic, philosopher and some-time painter, but his contribution to Irish art cannot be overlooked. Through his images, we are invited to experience an ideology that was bubbling underneath Irish society at the turn of the 20th century. Theosophy touched several well-known names at the time but it is through George Russell that we truly understand the effect that it took on their creative processes. Helena Carlyle, September 2021
Adam's
Aug. 18, 2021
William George Russell (1867 - 1935)
Est: $50 - $100
William George Russell, American (1867 - 1935) Watercolor on Paper "Venetian Scene" Signed Lower Left. Sight measures 11-5/8" x 6-3/4", frame measures 19-1/2" x 14-1/2'. Condition: Good condition. Estimate: $50.00 - $100.00 Domestic Shipping: $115.00
Kodner Galleries
Jun. 02, 2021
George Russell Æ (1867-1935) - Children Playing on a Beach
Est: €6,000 - €10,000
George Russell Æ (1867-1935) Children Playing on a Beach Oil on canvas, 32 x 48cm (12.5 x 19) Starting Bid: € 4200
Adam's
May. 31, 2021
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) THE OYSTER PICKERS
Est: €3,000 - €5,000
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) THE OYSTER PICKERS oil on canvas signed in monogram lower left; with Winsor & Newton [London] stamp on reverse h:17 w:41 in. Provenance: Acquired from the artist by author Richmond Samuel Howe Noble of Lisnatore, St Helen's Bay, Belfast; Thence by family descent Richmond Samuel Howe Noble of Lisnatore, St Helen's Bay, Belfast was a celebrated author of books on Shakespeare, in particular his use of song and his use of the Bible within his works. He purchased several paintings from the artist who moved in the same literary and artistic circles which included the likes of Percy Wyndham Lewis, Gerard Leslie Brockhurst and Oliver St. John Gogarty among others.
Whyte's
May. 31, 2021
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) MOONLIGHT SCENE WITH TWO FIGURES ON A SHORE
Est: €2,500 - €3,500
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) MOONLIGHT SCENE WITH TWO FIGURES ON A SHORE oil on canvas signed in monogram lower left h:15.75 w:20 in.
Whyte's
Dec. 09, 2020
George Russell 'AE' (1867-1935) Voices of the Stones, London, 1925, signed inscribed and dated 12.4.28, blue cloth boards with wrappers; together with The National Being, London, 1916, blue cloth with gilt, two books, signed
Est: €150 - €250
George Russell 'AE' (1867-1935) Voices of the Stones, London, 1925, signed inscribed and dated 12.4.28, blue cloth boards with wrappers; together with The National Being, London, 1916, blue cloth with gilt, two books, signed
Adam's
Dec. 09, 2020
George Russell AE (1867-1935) Figures by a Moonlit Lake Oil on board, 30 x 46cm (11¾ x 18'') Signed; inscribed on the back To Dr Maguire with sincere regards from Mr&Mrs Geo W. Russell
Est: €5,000 - €8,000
George Russell AE (1867-1935) Figures by a Moonlit Lake Oil on board, 30 x 46cm (11¾ x 18'') Signed; inscribed on the back To Dr Maguire with sincere regards from Mr&Mrs Geo W. Russell
Adam's
Dec. 07, 2020
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) THE OYSTER PICKERS
Est: €6,000 - €8,000
signed in monogram lower left; with Winsor & Newton [London] stamp on reverse
Whyte's
Oct. 27, 2020
George William Russell (AE) (1867-1935) The Bathers
Est: €4,000 - €6,000
George William Russell (AE) (1867-1935) The Bathers oil on canvas h:41 w:53.50 cm. Provenance: Purchased from the artist by Sir Philip Hanson and his wife Lady Constance Geraldine Tyrrell; By Descent; Private Collection
Morgan O'Driscoll
Oct. 27, 2020
George William Russell (AE) (1867-1935) Children in the Woods
Est: €6,000 - €8,000
George William Russell (AE) (1867-1935) Children in the Woods oil on canvas signed with monogram lower right h:41 w:53.50 cm. Provenance: De Veres, Dublin, 16th June 2015 Lot 12; Private Collection In sun-dappled woodland, three figures gather fallen branches of trees, to make a fire. Wearing an orange dress, the girl on the left leans backwards as she pulls a large branch from the undergrowth. She is helped by another child, while an older woman, in a long blue dress, holds a bunch of kindling in her arms. The figures are not depicted in detail; their faces are light dabs of paint, as are limbs and clothing, and yet the artist nevertheless manages to convey a sense of companionship and elegiac enjoyment of a summer's day. The three figures stand in deep shade in the woods; behind them is a glade, brightly illuminated by sunshine. Above, the dense foliage of the trees is depicted in dabs of yellow, green and ivory, against a dark background. To the right of the figures, the trunk of a large tree is partially lit by sunshine. In creating his own style of painting, George Russell, also known as "AE", borrowed from both the Symbolist and Impressionist movements. While his application of oil paint in small brush strokes, creates a visual sensation akin to that of Monet's Impressionist canvases, in terms of atmosphere and colour his paintings are more redolent of Symbolist painters such as Gustave Moreau. As with Moreau, Russell strove to evoke an autumnal world, using ochres and amber tints, enlivened with flashes of bright colour. The theme, gathering firewood, also hints at the passing of summer. Peter Murray, October 2020
Morgan O'Driscoll
Oct. 19, 2020
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) THE VIEW FROM THE ROCKS
Est: €5,000 - €7,000
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) THE VIEW FROM THE ROCKS
Whyte's
Sep. 02, 2020
George Russell AE (1867-1935)Extensive Landscape with Ethereal FigureOil on board, 30 x 46cm (11¾ x 18'')Bearing initials
Est: €2,500 - €3,500
George Russell AE (1867-1935)Extensive Landscape with Ethereal FigureOil on board, 30 x 46cm (11¾ x 18'')Bearing initials
Adam's
Dec. 02, 2019
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) WOMAN AND CHILD ON A SEASHORE
Est: €5,000 - €7,000
signed with monogram lower right
Whyte's
Dec. 02, 2019
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) PORTRAIT OF IRENE HAUGH
Est: €600 - €800
signed lower right; inscribed [Miss Irene Haugh, Secretary to George (AE) Russell, sketch by him, see ....] and with reproduction to the cover of The Valley of the Bells by Irene Haugh on reverse
Whyte's
Nov. 25, 2019
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) LETTER TO JULY 5, 1935
Est: €160 - €300
signed
Whyte's
Sep. 25, 2019
George Russell AE (1867-1935) Walking the Strand Oil on board, 28 x 45cm (11 x 17¾'')
Est: €2,500 - €3,500
George Russell AE (1867-1935) Walking the Strand Oil on board, 28 x 45cm (11 x 17¾'')
Adam's
Sep. 25, 2019
George Russell AE (1867-1935)Seaweed GatherersOil on canvas, 39.5 x 52cm (15½ x 20½'')George W. Russell was born in County Armagh in 1867 and moved to Dublin with his family at the age of 11. In 1884 Russell began attending Dublins Metropolitan
Est: €7,000 - €10,000
George Russell AE (1867-1935)Seaweed GatherersOil on canvas, 39.5 x 52cm (15½ x 20½'')George W. Russell was born in County Armagh in 1867 and moved to Dublin with his family at the age of 11. In 1884 Russell began attending Dublins Metropolitan School of Art where he met W.B.Yeats, who became a close companion and later rival. That same year Russell experienced the first of many vivid waking visions, which would remain an important source of knowledge and insight throughout his life. His mystical leanings led to an affiliation with the Dublin Lodge of the Theosophical Society. Comprised of a mélange of ideas involving reincarnation, past lives, astral planes, higher consciousness and spiritual evolution, Theosophical doctrine appealed to legions of people in the late 19th century. Russells interest in Theosophy is reflected in his first book of collected poems, Homeward: Songs by the way which was published in 1894 confirmed his central role as a figure of the Irish Literary Renaissance. It was an error in the printing of this book that resulted in Russell becoming known as AE. Russell originally intended to have printed the word AEON, the name of an eternal entity in the Pantheon of Gnosticism but by a printers error this was altered to AE, the pseudonym which he adopted and became known by. Though ostensibly some of his artworks may seem somewhat whimsical they gain a complexity when viewed in relation to the multifarious - seemingly contradictory- facets of Russells character. AEs tendency toward mysticism and spiritual contemplation was balanced with a politically active and deeply practical side. His work as a painter and writer was carried out in tandem with his career as a devoted political and economic thinker. In 1905 AE became the editor of the Irish Homestead, the main publication of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society, which was established in 1894 to advocate agricultural cooperativism. Evidently, this role necessitated considerable practical and logistical acumen. AE spent summers in the west and northwest of Ireland and Donegal came to be a destination that he particularly favoured and where this work was most likely painted. The pair depicted in this painting appear to be gathering seaweed, most likely carrageen moss. In coastal regions of Ireland seaweed such as this was used as food for farm animals and to enrich barren, stoney soils for agricultural purposes. As this painting demonstrates, AE frequently focused upon individuals in various forms of collaborative activity. Notable examples of similar paintings include The Woodcutters (1908) and The Stone Carriers (1909) which are held in the collection of Dublin City Gallery the Hugh Lane. Pádraic E. Moore. August, 2019
Adam's
Sep. 16, 2019
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) THREE WOMEN ON A SEASHORE
Est: €8,000 - €12,000
signed with monogram lower left
Whyte's
May. 27, 2019
George Russell ("Æ") (1867-1935) CHILDREN PLAYING IN WOODLAND GLADE
Est: €10,000 - €15,000
signed in monogram lower right
Whyte's
Mar. 27, 2019
George Russell, AE (1867- 1935)The Kelp GatherersOil on canvas, 40 x 52cm (15 x 20)Signed lower left
Est: €4,000 - €6,000
George Russell, AE (1867- 1935)The Kelp GatherersOil on canvas, 40 x 52cm (15 x 20)Signed lower left
Adam's
Mar. 27, 2019
George Russell AE (1867-1935)Children on the Beach, Donegal BayOil on canvas, 53 x 81cm (21 x 32'')Signed with monogram and dated 1919In 1904, having attended an exhibition in Dublin in which the paintings of AE were displayed alongside those of
Est: €7,000 - €10,000
George Russell AE (1867-1935)Children on the Beach, Donegal BayOil on canvas, 53 x 81cm (21 x 32'')Signed with monogram and dated 1919In 1904, having attended an exhibition in Dublin in which the paintings of AE were displayed alongside those of Constance Gore-Booth and Casimir Dunin-Markievicz, Joseph Holloway reflected upon the works of AE. The entry from the diary of architect and raconteur reads; If ever the Celtic spirit of dreaminess and longing for something that is neither of land nor sea was translated onto canvas, here that longing and dreaminess surely was. This atmospheric painting dated 1919 and signed with AEs distinctive monogram, seems the perfect counterpart to that earlier reflection. AE spent summers in the west and northwest of Ireland and Donegal came to be the destination that he particularly favoured. Children on the beach, Donegal Bay was painted in what was a particularly frenetic period for the artist. AEs best-known book The Candle of Vision had recently been published and he would have been busy in his role as editor for the Irish Homestead. Importantly, this work was also painted the year that the Irish War of Independence began. While deeply invested in the campaign for independence, AE was ultimately a pacifist and sought to further the cause in his role as an artist and thinker. AE took refuge not only in the process of painting but also the worlds that he invented therein. There is a serenity to this twilight scene that exemplifies Russells predilection for mauve, rose and amethyst, all of which are hues that feature frequently in his poetry. Pádraic E. Moore, February 2019
Adam's