YEATS, Jack B. The Strand Races, The Start. The Finish. Pair. Hand coloured at the Cuala Press.

Dublin: Dun Emer/Cuala Press, undated (1906 or later). 480 x 180mm. In fine condition. Rare.
First published by Dun Emer about 1906, these attractive prints were taken over by Cuala in 1908 and were a mainstay of its print catalogue for over 60 years. Typical of Yeats’ work at the time, they adopt an elongated format, they capture the carefree atmosphere of a race meeting with characteristic humour on a West of Ireland strand, such as Jack Yeats must often have seen during his childhood in Sligo. The designs were issued as a line-block print, hand-coloured by one of the craftswomen, Molly Gill or Eileen Colm, at the Cuala Press.

Jack B. Yeats, one of Ireland’s most celebrated artists, was renowned not only for his evocative oil paintings and illustrations but also for his striking hand-coloured prints, which occupy a special place in his early artistic legacy. These prints, produced primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, showcase Yeats’s deep connection to Irish culture, folklore, and everyday life, often featuring scenes of street performers, circuses, travellers, and characters from rural and urban Ireland.

Originally created as black-and-white illustrations, many of these prints were individually hand-coloured by Yeats himself, making each one a unique piece of art. His use of watercolour over inked linework brought vibrancy and emotion to the scenes, enhancing the sense of movement and character that defined his early style. The colours, though sometimes simple, were applied with expressive flair, giving the works an immediacy and charm that resonates with collectors and art lovers to this day.

These hand-coloured prints were often published in periodicals, book illustrations, or sold independently. Today, they are highly prized, especially those with provenance or signatures. They offer an intimate look at Yeats’s development as an artist and his unique ability to blend narrative, atmosphere, and a deep affection for Irish life in small, exquisite compositions.

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