WHYTE'S in association with CHRISTIE'S - The Ernie O'Malley Collection MONDAY 25 November 2019

THE ERNIE O’MALLEY COLLECTION · 25 NOVEMBER 2019 AT 6PM 65 66 9 December 1945 Mr O’Malley, I have just got your note and I will be delighted to see you and [John] Rothenstein 1 and Mrs. [Catherine] Walston 2 , should she be with you at the time at about 2:15 p.m. tomorrow. I enjoyed seeing Rothenstein on Thursday and I thank you for bringing him along and introducing him to the picture. I am Yours sincerely Jack B. Yeats 1 Sir John Knewstub Maurice Rothenstein (1901-1992). Sitter in 43 portraits. Rothenstein was an art historian and director of the Tate Gallery from 1938 until 1964. Yeats was very grateful to Ernie O’Malley for the introduction to the greatest art influencer of the time; it led to the Tate Gallery exhibition of his work in 1948. 2 Lady Catherine Walston (1916-1978) well known in the London art world and for being the mistress of Graham Greene and subject of his novel, The End of The Affair. 4 February 1949 Dear O’Malley, I was glad to hear from you and to know that the boys [Cathal and Cormac] are going on well, 1 and their sister [Etain], who I am glad to hear is painting for me and also that her feeling about my painting is more sympathetic. The great thing is for her not to think I paint to annoy her. Yes, I remember when I first heard of Moby Dick in the nineties [1890s], it is a grand old book. 2 I have that book of Bret Harte’s 3 letters sent me, by an admirer of Bret Harte, in thanks to me for mentioning Harte somewhere is my book, And to You Also. I found these letters sad and, with only here and there, any of the old charm. I [think] Bret Harte is one of those who stood once in a life that seemed in but a few hours perspection [sic]. To be a living Paradise on Earth. He left California and spent a little while in the East while still the dust of red dog was about his little boots, (he was a handsome man, I believe, of very small stature). All the rest of his days were spent half-trying to forget, in Europe. I asked Mark Twain about him; he said, ‘a pity he drinks.’ I don’t know if it was true, but his letters are like the letters of a morose man in dismal cups. In the magpie years I put in a rough portfolio a quantity of newspaper cuttings, and other pieces of paper about ships and now I know I will never look at these again. So I send them, by this post, for you to hand over to your ship’s company. It may amuse them to toss their way through them. My love and good health complete soon to them all, I am yours kindly, Jack B. Yeats 1 Both boys had contracted primary tuberculosis and were resting at home. 2 Ernie was reading Moby Dick by Herman Melville to his children at the time. 3 Ernie had purchased the oil painting, ‘Homage to Bret Harte’ from Jack Yeats.