John Butler Yeats (1839–1922) was an Irish artist and writer, notably recognized as the father of poet William Butler Yeats and painter Jack Butler Yeats.
Born in County Down, Ireland, Yeats initially pursued a legal career before transitioning to art, studying at Heatherley School of Fine Art in London. He became renowned for his portraiture, capturing the essence of his subjects with exceptional detail and sensitivity.
Among his celebrated works are portraits of notable figures such as Irish nationalist John O’Leary and his own son, William Butler Yeats. His self-portrait, completed in 1911, is regarded as one of his masterpieces and is now part of the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection. In his later years, he lived in New York, where he emerged as a prominent figure within the city’s artistic and literary communities.
Beyond his artistic achievements, Yeats was a prolific writer, contributing essays and engaging in correspondence that showcased his intellectual and philosophical reflections. His letters, posthumously compiled in The Letters of John Butler Yeats (1944,) provide valuable insights into his views on art, literature, and life.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by John Butler Yeats
Always when I see a man fond of praise I always think it is because he is an affectionate man craving for affection.
—John Butler Yeats
Topics: Affection, Praise
Personality is born out of pain. It is the fire shut up in the flint.
—John Butler Yeats
Topics: Personality
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