#MC51
1881
Two watercolours on paper: ca. 17,5x28 cm (7x11 in) and ca. 12x17,5 (4 ¾ x 7 in), mounted on larger album leaves, ca. 25,5x33 cm (10x13 in). Signed “A.D.” in the lower corners, captioned and dated on the lower margins of the mounts. Minor mild foxing and chipping of the mounts, otherwise very good watercolours.
Two attractive watercolours of Biarritz dated February 1881 depict a vivid sunset over the mountainous skyline and calm turquoise waters, and an old lighthouse on Cape Hainsart towering over the crashing surf. The watercolours originate from an album titled “Sketches from Nature. Augusta Drummond, 1878-82”.
The artist was Irish watercolourist Augusta Drummond, an acquaintance of renowned poet and artist Edward Lear (1812-1888). 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.
