Lot 142: John Butler Yeats RHA (1839-1922) Susan Mitchell

John Butler Yeats RHA (1839-1922) Susan Mitchell Soft pencil, 35 x 24 cm (14 x 9.5) Inscribed, signed and dated 1905 Susan Mitchell, the writer, resided with the Yeats family in London for several years, living as a member of the family. She later wrote, 'I wish I was skilful enough in words to paint for you that delightful household in Bedford Park, where first I learned what conversation meant, where Mr. Yeats, that brave head thrown back, his eyes smiling, said things that seemed to me daring, witty, full of old wisdom and young folly, but said them always with such distinction and grace that made the mere saying significant ..' Provenance: The collection of the Yeats family. From the estate of the late Senator Michael Butler Yeats.