Artistic masterpiece that sold for £4.4 million has Kilkenny connection
The Jean-Etienne Liotard painting was owned for years by 2nd Earl of Bessborough
A prized work of art, which achieved a world record auction price for a piece by Jean-Etienne Liotard in 2017, has an interesting Kilkenny connection.
Liotard's A Dutch Girl at Breakfast fetched £4.4 million at Sotheby's 'Old Masters' sale in London.
The painting was bought from the artist over 250 years ago by the 2nd Earl of Bessborough, William Ponsoby, and remained in the possession of his relatives since its sale.
As chief secretary for Ireland in the mid-18th Century, Ponsonby's Irish seat was none other than classical-style Bessborough House in Piltown, which is of course now home to the Kildalton Agricultural College.