The essence of Bacon on menu at Bonhams

(Rex Features)

A painting of, rather than by, Francis Bacon takes pride of place at the first sale of Irish art by the auction house Bonhams. Louis le Brocquy's watercolour, entitled Image of Francis Bacon No 18, is estimated at £60,000 to £80,000. Penny Day, the head of Irish art at Bonhams, said Le Brocquy painted Bacon several times, "trying to capture the Bacon-ness of Bacon". One of the smallest, cheapest paintings in the sale is also attracting attention, however. Entitled Roundabout Ponies, it is by Jack Butler Yeats, the brother of the poet William Butler Yeats. He gave it to the matron of his nursing home and it is being sold by her heirs. Ray Tang/Rex Features