John (or ‘Jack’ Butler Yeats b. 1861 – 1957, London was the brother of the famous Irish poet William Butler Yeats. His romantic expressionistic art explored the Irish way of life, horse racing and Celtic myth. He started his artistic career at 17 and over his lifetime he produced over a thousand works.
His early work was realistic but after 1920s onwards his work became more expressive and went from the more graphic to the use of thickly applied impasto, which seems to have become a trademark of his. Yeats’s use of this medium, thickly applied does not translate to screen very well, though it does give you a slight hint of the lyrical way he applies oil. In my opinion the paintings are better seen in a gallery setting.
Yeats’s later work was inspired by Austrian expressionist artist Oskar Kokoschka (b. 1886 – 1980) who was also a poet and writer and playwright like Yeats. I shall be doing a post about this fabulous artist whom I greatly admire at a later date
Echostains Blog 
Excellent artist.
Over a thousand works. wow.
I know – I keep saying I must do more 😀
Hi!
Interesting post, I shall explore his stuff in more detail soon.
Thanks!
J
Thanks for visiting J – now following you on twitter:)
I must truly look this artist up. I have not seen much of his work and really like that top painting. Did you talk about this artist in a previous post? Thank-you for this introduction, Lynda.
Yes I did Leslie https://echostains.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/art-i-love-jack-butler-yeats/
I was inspired to put him on again because my husbands ancestors had the middle name ‘Butler’ 🙂 I get my inspiration from whatever is influencing me at the time – and that could be anything! 😀
I love Yeats’ style of painting – for me it’s a kind of order and harmony from chaotic brush strokes.
Good analogy Kimberley:) Must admit that I love thick impasto working myself – just give me a palette knife in my hand though rather than a brush. Also I prefer the consistancy of acrylics and impasto than oils:)
Thanks for calling this artist to my attention. In the states, his work is practically unknown. What I like about the internet and reading others’ blogs is finding out what people consider significant in their own backyards. It’s a way to counter what others might consider being strictly regional.
Couldn’t agree more Al! Butler Yeats always comes under Irish Art and of course he does have the connection to W B, his poet brother. What a talented family they were. I think the art and photography that came out of the Great Depression in America is really interesting. I particularly like the Regionists:)
Always enjoy when you post about expressionist paintings, as well as anything regarding the Brothers Yeats. lol Love the last painting by Oskar Kokoschka—beautiful scene. thanks
I do love this artist myself Adam, I find those Yeats brothers fascinating and so talented! The last image is Yeats though not Kokoschka (who I will be featuring) Isn’t Oskar Kokoschka an absolutley fantastic name:D i’m sure there’s only Oscar which would rhyme with this name:)
Ah the Yeats family and art–Irish creative energy seems infinite. Now if everyone focused their efforts on ART what a different world this would be. Hm.
It would be a much better place – and we would all be more enriched by it 🙂