Lot Closes In:
George Russell
PICNIC, MUCKISH MOUNTAINS
Lot 15
Current Bid:
€6,000
Bid History:
3 Bids
Estimate:
€8,000 - €12,000
Ending:
18:11:15 on 28/05/2024
George Russell AE, 1867-1935
PICNIC, MUCKISH MOUNTAINS
Oil on canvas, 21" x 32" (53.3 x 81.2cm), signed with initials
Hewitt (1977) has noted the influence of international artists such as Corot, Monticelli and Puvis de Chavannes on Russell, who... Read more
Lot 15
George Russell
PICNIC, MUCKISH MOUNTAINS
PICNIC, MUCKISH MOUNTAINS
Oil on canvas, 21" x 32" (53.3 x 81.2cm), signed with initials
Hewitt (1977) has noted the influence of international artists such as Corot, Monticelli and Puvis de Chavannes on Russell, who... Read more
Lot 15
George Russell
PICNIC, MUCKISH MOUNTAINS
Estimate:
€8,000 - €12,000
George Russell AE, 1867-1935
PICNIC, MUCKISH MOUNTAINS
Oil on canvas, 21" x 32" (53.3 x 81.2cm), signed with initials
Hewitt (1977) has noted the influence of international artists such as Corot, Monticelli and Puvis de Chavannes on Russell, whose work he would have viewed in the collection of Hugh Lane. The impact Puvis de Chavannes, in particular, can be seen in Russell's symbolist paintings and there is a residual influence in the compositional arrangement of landscapes such as this set in the Muckish Mountains.
Donegal features in many of Russell's paintings as he spent his summers there and was able to sketch and paint directly. This painting shares affinities with others by Russell such as 'Children at Slieve League' and 'Marbel Strand, Dunfanaghy'; both of which include female figures wearing a white bonnet. In the Dunfanaghy work, a single figure sits in the grass on the sand dunes in front of the strand and in the Slieve League painting, the two girls embrace before the breath-taking scene of the cliffs.
'Figures seated in a country landscape, Muckish Mountains', is a painting that was purchased directly from the artist. It features 'Muckish', meaning 'pig's back', a distinctive flat-topped mountain in the Derryveagh Mountain range. Aspects of the mountain form the backdrop to this composition and the grey sky is used as a unifying device to allow agency for the elements in the back, middle and foreground. The landscape is harmoniously proportioned and this lends itself to the pastoral scene. As is typical of Russell, the level of detail is restrained, there is a stone outcrop with grass to the left of the composition, a natural pathway in the flattened grass to the left centre and a stone wall with bushes at intervals to the middle right.
The heart of the scene is the mother and child seated on the grassy bank at the right foreground. The mother, in profile, is dressed in clothes with colours that appear influenced by Corot; a white bonnet, rust orange blouse and deep blue skirt. She has a wicker basket in the crook of her left arm. She looks off to her right to the distant mountains. Her child faces forward but looks down and with features barely delineated; the artist indicates that this child is looking at something on her lap. There are loosely indicated primroses on the bank beside them and perhaps it is these flowers that have caught the child's attention. The overall scene is one of calm serenity. It is clearly spring or early summer and a moment of togetherness for the pair.
Dr. Marianne O'Kane Boal
Hewitt, J. (1977) Art in Ulster I, Belfast: Blackstaff Press.
PICNIC, MUCKISH MOUNTAINS
Oil on canvas, 21" x 32" (53.3 x 81.2cm), signed with initials
Hewitt (1977) has noted the influence of international artists such as Corot, Monticelli and Puvis de Chavannes on Russell, whose work he would have viewed in the collection of Hugh Lane. The impact Puvis de Chavannes, in particular, can be seen in Russell's symbolist paintings and there is a residual influence in the compositional arrangement of landscapes such as this set in the Muckish Mountains.
Donegal features in many of Russell's paintings as he spent his summers there and was able to sketch and paint directly. This painting shares affinities with others by Russell such as 'Children at Slieve League' and 'Marbel Strand, Dunfanaghy'; both of which include female figures wearing a white bonnet. In the Dunfanaghy work, a single figure sits in the grass on the sand dunes in front of the strand and in the Slieve League painting, the two girls embrace before the breath-taking scene of the cliffs.
'Figures seated in a country landscape, Muckish Mountains', is a painting that was purchased directly from the artist. It features 'Muckish', meaning 'pig's back', a distinctive flat-topped mountain in the Derryveagh Mountain range. Aspects of the mountain form the backdrop to this composition and the grey sky is used as a unifying device to allow agency for the elements in the back, middle and foreground. The landscape is harmoniously proportioned and this lends itself to the pastoral scene. As is typical of Russell, the level of detail is restrained, there is a stone outcrop with grass to the left of the composition, a natural pathway in the flattened grass to the left centre and a stone wall with bushes at intervals to the middle right.
The heart of the scene is the mother and child seated on the grassy bank at the right foreground. The mother, in profile, is dressed in clothes with colours that appear influenced by Corot; a white bonnet, rust orange blouse and deep blue skirt. She has a wicker basket in the crook of her left arm. She looks off to her right to the distant mountains. Her child faces forward but looks down and with features barely delineated; the artist indicates that this child is looking at something on her lap. There are loosely indicated primroses on the bank beside them and perhaps it is these flowers that have caught the child's attention. The overall scene is one of calm serenity. It is clearly spring or early summer and a moment of togetherness for the pair.
Dr. Marianne O'Kane Boal
Hewitt, J. (1977) Art in Ulster I, Belfast: Blackstaff Press.
- Enquire
- How bidding works
Please note: You will require a deVeres account in order to bid. Please register via the website. Each lot will close numerically. If there is late bidding the time may be extended which could delay subsequent lots. The lots will start to close from 2.00pm on auction day, closing at 45 second intervals.
PLEASE BID EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT.
In order to allow rival bidders the opportunity to respond to a late bid the following extensions will apply:
IF A BID IS RECEIVED WITHIN THE FINAL 45 SECONDS OF THE COUNTDOWN THE CLOCK WILL RESET TO 60 SECONDS.
At any point you can leave a maximum bid, representing the highest price you are prepared to pay for a particular lot. Bidding only advances when there is competition from a rival bidder. In that case the system bids on your behalf, only up to the maximum if required. All bids are relayed to you be email, along with notification if you have been outbid.
All maximum bids are confidential and not disclosed. The system will endeavor to purchase the lot for you for the least price. Bids are subject to buyer’s premium of 25% (incl vat), with no additional charges.
In the event of a tied bid, the preference will be given to the bid submitted first. The second bidder will receive immediate notification of being outbid.
PLEASE BID EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT.
In order to allow rival bidders the opportunity to respond to a late bid the following extensions will apply:
IF A BID IS RECEIVED WITHIN THE FINAL 45 SECONDS OF THE COUNTDOWN THE CLOCK WILL RESET TO 60 SECONDS.
At any point you can leave a maximum bid, representing the highest price you are prepared to pay for a particular lot. Bidding only advances when there is competition from a rival bidder. In that case the system bids on your behalf, only up to the maximum if required. All bids are relayed to you be email, along with notification if you have been outbid.
All maximum bids are confidential and not disclosed. The system will endeavor to purchase the lot for you for the least price. Bids are subject to buyer’s premium of 25% (incl vat), with no additional charges.
In the event of a tied bid, the preference will be given to the bid submitted first. The second bidder will receive immediate notification of being outbid.
Sign-up to our auction alert
Signup for personalised Irish art recommendations, invitations to viewings and auctions, articles and more.