Posted online: Dec 8th, 2011

A painting of a Donegal vista by Paul Henry was sold for €75,000 to a private art collector from California, in an Irish art auction held by Whyte’s last week.
The sale of the painting entitled, Altan Lough, exceeded all expectations. Estimates put the sale value at between €40,000 and €50,000. But according to Ian Whyte, “there was big interest in this painting and quite a few bidders.”
The painting is of Lough Altan or ‘Lake of the Hillock’, a mountain tarn or lake virtually inaccessible by road. It is situated five or six miles from Gortahork.
The buyer is a private art collector in California, Mr Whyte explained.
The Californian outbid a caller from Belfast who withdrew at €70,000. Other bidders withdrew at €42,000, €60,000 and €65,000.
The previous owner is an Irish man living in London.