DUBLIN, IRELAND.- The Irish Museum of Modern Art today announced the acquisition of Children in a Wood I, 1988, by the distinguished Irish artist Louis le Brocquy, considered to be one of the most important works in the artist’s emblematic Procession series. The acquisition, under Section 1003, was made possible by the generous support of Brain Ranalow, artist, collector and IMMA Board Member and that of Louis le Brocquy himself. The work is currently on show at IMMA as part of a display of seven major works, selected by Pierre le Brocquy, to mark the artist’s ninetieth year.

Louis Le Brocquy is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s best know artists, whose long and fruitful career has made him the most loved and admired living Irish artist. Le Brocquy has a longstanding relationship with IMMA, he was a founding Board Member of the Museum from 1989 – 1994, in 1998 he was awarded the IMMA Glen Dimplex award for a sustained contribution to the visual arts in Ireland, and in 1996 IMMA hosted a major retrospective exhibition of his work. The IMMA Collection is fortunate to currently hold some 38 works by le Brocquy, among them a portfolio of 22 lithographs of Joyce’s Dubliners and a complete set of the Táin Tapestries. These works are shown as part of displays from the Collection at IMMA, in international exhibitions from the Collection and nationwide through the Museum’s National Programme.

Commenting on this significant acquisition, IMMA Director Enrique Juncosa said “Everyone at IMMA is delighted at the acquisition of this major work by Louis le Brocquy, which fills one of the gaps in our holding of his work and fits perfectly with our policy of acquiring major works by leading Irish artists. It also compliments our rich collection of his tapestries and prints by the artist. We are extremely grateful for the support of Brian Ranalow , the artist and the State, via Section 1003, which together have enabled us to add this important work to our Collection”.

Le Brocquy’s work is represented in the collections of numerous museums in the USA, the UK, France, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Brazil, Japan, India, Korea, New Zealand and, of course, Ireland. Highlights of his career include representing Ireland at the Venice Biennale in 1956, been elected a Saoi of Aosdána in 1994 and exhibitions at the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (1976), the New York State Museum (1981) and the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne (1988).

Louis le Brocquy: A Celebration of the Artist’s Ninetieth Year continues until 10 December 2006. Admission is free.