ADAM'S IMPORTANT IRISH ART 27 MAY 2026

Important Irish Art | 27 May 2026 www.adams.ie 21 Adam’s are honoured to have been chosen to offer by auction a number of important artworks by some of Ireland’s best loved 20th century artists from the late Reeta and Frank Hughes’ art collection. Their collection was arguably one of the finest private collections of Irish Art in Ireland or anywhere for that matter. It was formed initially at a time when collecting Irish paintings and sculpture was not as fashionable as it is today and while it was a testament to Reeta and Frank’s cultured eye, it also attested to their far-sight- edness in collecting work by artists before almost everyone else. The Hughes’ began their art-buying in the 1960’s and were still buying up to the time of their deaths, Reeta in 2014 and Frank in 2020. I first met them in the early 1980’s and recall their infectious enthusiasm for art, something that we shared and which became the foundations of a long-standing friendship. What I found most inspirational about them was their desire to keep their collection alive and growing. They placed no limits on what could be included in the collection, buying with equal enthusiasm works by artists from the early 20th century as much as works by living painters. What was also truly remarkable about Reeta and Frank was their ability to decide for themselves what to buy, and while they never refused advice, their ability to assess and judge quality was inspiring. In the early years of the formation of their collection, they enjoyed the advice and support of wonderful art people such as Tom Caldwell, the contemporary gallerist as well as the noted Belfast dealer Nelson Bell. Reeta and Frank were also regular and consistent auction-goers, attending and competing at the flagship Irish sales in Ad- am’s and in London, much to the delight of us auctioneers, who took solace in seeing them in the audience and as such could expect some bidding fireworks. What was wonderful was the interest they both had in adding to the collection and what was a delightful sharing of taste, although all their purchases were not exclusively by agreement ! This occasional diversity of opinion added a lovely mix to the collection and created something unique and intensely personal. This auction offers a rare opportunity to encounter works from a collection shaped by passion, independ- ence, and a lifelong commitment to the visual arts. James O’Halloran May 2026 Artworks from the Collection of the late Reeta and Frank Hughes.