The search for Ireland's Favourite Painting continues with the unveiling of the top ten shortlist.
The Taking of Christ by Caravaggio, A Connemara Village by Paul Henry and A Family by Louis Le Brocquy all feature in the final shortlist which was drawn from a long-list of 100 nominated by the public and curators, directors and boards of public art collections throughout Ireland.
From Tuesday April 17, members of the public will be able to vote for their favourite piece online at www.rte.ie/masterpiece or through the An Post Business Response Unit, free of charge, by sending a postcard to RTÉ’s Freepost address.
The final winner will be announced on a special edition of RTÉ’s The Works by President Michael D Higgins on May 24.
A documentary, Masterpiece: Ireland’s Favourite Painting, presented by Mike Murphy, will air on Tuesday April 17 on RTÉ One at 10.15pm, to viewers an introduction to each of the ten works – and artists – on the short-list.
Murphy said: "Don't be intimidated by the fine buildings or the art jargon or the arty intelligentsia. Trust your own response, your own instincts. These are, after all, your paintings and, in these difficult times, they are a real source of delight and inspiration on your doorstep."
Ireland's Favourite Painting Top Ten Shortlist:
Communicating with Prisoners Jack B. Yeats (The Model, Sligo)
Hellelil and Hildebrand, The Meeting on the Turret Stairs Frederic Wiliam Burton (National Gallery)
A Family Louis Le Brocquy (National Gallery)
Lady Writing a Letter Johannes Vermeer (National Gallery)
The Eve of Saint Agnes Harry Clarke (Hugh Lane/Crawford)
The Artist’s Studio Sir John Lavery (National Gallery, Ulster Museum)
A Convent Garden, Brittany William John Leech (National Gallery)
Wall of Light Orange Yellow Sean Scully (Hugh Lane)
A Connemara Village Paul Henry (National Gallery/Connemara)
The Taking of Christ Caravaggio (National Gallery)
