#MB53
[1871]
Watercolour on paper ca. 25,5x34,5 cm (9 ½ x 13 ½ in). Artist’s signature “A.D.”, slightly indistinct date and caption “Glendalough” in the lower corners. Traces of old mount on verso, minor foxing on the extreme right margin, otherwise a very good watercolour
Attractive watercolour view of the ruins of the gateway to the 6th-century monastic settlement in Glendalough, 50 km south of Dublin. The artist depicts Glendalough’s famous stone arches, now covered with the overgrown grass and trees, and a ruin of the renowned Round Tower, here shown in its original state – before the reconstruction of 1876, when a conical roof was rebuilt with the original stones. The scene taken on a bright summer day features local peasants having a conversation near the arch. Full of light and air, it gives a wonderful impression of this medieval Irish Christian site.
The artist was Irish watercolourist Augusta Drummond, an acquaintance of renowned poet and artist Edward Lear (18121-1888). She was born in Kilberry, Kildare, Ireland to Robert Verschoyle and Catherine Curtis. On 5th July 1878, she married Captain Alfred Manners Drummond, nephew of 6th Duke of Rutland, Captain of the Rifle Brigade, discriminating art collector, acquaintance and client of Edward Lear. The couple had a honeymoon trip to India in 1878, and subsequently travelled to continental Europe and Australia; the travel impressions were realized by Augusta in a series of skillful watercolours. One of them depicting Tasmania and titled “Browns River near Hobart Town” is now in the collection of the National Library of Australia.
