Irish Landscape
George William Russell (Lurgan Armagh 1867 - 1935)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1915
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
394 x 521 mm (15 1/2 x 20 1/2 in)
Order this imageCollection
Shaw's Corner, Hertfordshire
NT 1275277
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, "Irish Landscape", by George William Russell, known by his pseudonym “AE” (1867 - 1935). Signed “AE” lower left. A track leads the eye into a green hilly landscape. In the distance, beneath a grey sky, the hills become blue. This painting by AE, and another depicting children on a beach (NT 1275275), were purchased by Charlotte Shaw.
Full description
Irish Landscape, by George William Russell ("AE"). AE Russell was an Irish landscape painter, poet and playwright who was much admired by Charlotte Shaw. This painting by AE, and another in the collection (NT 1275275), were purchased by Charlotte in 1915. Charlotte was more concerned with memorializing her Irish roots than Shaw was himself. Thomas Jones recalled that Charlotte was ‘full of nostalgia for Ireland and its open country and wide skies.’ (See Thomas Jones, A Diary with Letters, 491). The Irish artefacts at Shaw’s Corner, aside from those relating to Shaw’s friendship with Lady Gregory, are largely a reflection of her taste and interests. The paintings by AE were specifically Charlotte’s possessions, and were purchased by her when she visited him in Ireland in 1915. Charlotte’s diary summary for 1915 records that she ‘went to Ireland to Kilteragh on 31st March. Called on AE and had talk with him and his wife; bought two of his pictures.’ (British Library Add. MS 56500, f.47). Here she was referring to the two oil paintings now at Shaw’s Corner. (Alice McEwan, 2020)
Provenance
The Shaw Collection. The house and contents were bequeathed to the National Trust by George Bernard Shaw in 1950, together with Shaw's photographic archive.
Marks and inscriptions
"AE" (Signed at bottom left)
Makers and roles
George William Russell (Lurgan Armagh 1867 - 1935), artist