Date: c. 1969
Dimensions: 54 × 38cm
Medium: Lithograph on swiftbrook paper
Collection: Niland Collection
Provenance: Edition of 70 proofs. Purchased in 1970

Description:

The original Táin published by Dolmen Press in 1969 was applauded as being the great Irish livre d’artiste of the twentieth century comprises 123 illustrations. The same year, the artist produced The Táin portfolios (1969) consisting of three sets of twelve black and white lithographic brush drawings selected from the Táin and grouped by theme. In total, 36 sheets plus five ‘Individual Subjects’ and four chromo-lithographic ‘Epic Shields’ separate.

The Táin portfolios consist of limited editions of 70 proofs each sheet individually signed, dated and numbered by the artist including portfolio numbers (I, II, & III).

Printed by Frank O’Reilly, Dublin, on Swiftbrook paper, each 54 × 38 (38 × 54) cm. Large folios, unbound with title pages and black interleaves. Boxed by Museum Bookbinders, Dublin, black boards stamped in white in a design by the artist.

The Niland house in its collection 15 lithographs out of the 45 that make up The Táin portfolios.