Waterford City consistently collected contemporary art from the late 1930s through to the early seventies. Funds to acquire art were made available by the City Council, which from time to time were combined with the Arts Council Joint Purchase Scheme. Donations to the collection were made on a regular basis by the Haverty Trust and from local collections. Waterford’s Municipal Collection is a strong representative collection of Irish art of the 20th Century.

Highlights of this selection are Jack B. Yeat’s, While grass grows from the late 30s, a marvelous figurative Louis Le Brocquy, Belfast Refugees from 1941 and an unusually large work by Letitia Hamilton, Bog of allen from 1920. Other artists featured are Patrick Collins, Martin Gale RHA, Paul and Grace Henry, and William Leech. Overall forty artists are included in the selection, including John Behan RHA, Carey Clarke PPRHA, Patrick Collins RHA, Terence P Flanagan RHA, Martin Gale RHA, Letitia Marion Hamilton RHA, Patrick Hennessy RHA, Paul Henry RHA, Evie Hone HRHA, Mainie Jellett, Louis Le Brocquy HRHA, Maurice MacGonigal PPRHA, Sarah Purser RHA, Camille Souter HRHA and Jack B Yeats RHA.

The RHA would like to thank SEI, who through their philanthropic support have made this exhibition at the RHA possible.