Killarney has long captured the imagination of visitors and residents alike, from early Christian settlements in the seventh century to the emergence of tourism 250 years ago.
In 1770, Jonathan Fisher (1740-1809) was the first artist to produce a series of views of this County Kerry landscape when he painted six picturesque scenes of Killarney and its environs. These were subsequently reproduced as engravings which helped to develop the town, lakes, and mountains as a tourist destination, a project begun by Thomas Browne (1726-1795), 4th Viscount Kenmare.
Nearly two decades later, Fisher returned to compile a more ambitious portfolio of aquatint engravings entitled A Picturesque Tour of Killarney, describing in twenty views the most pleasing scenes of that celebrated Lake, etc. etc., (1789). These views, dedicated to the artist’s friend and patron John Dawson (1744-1798), 1st Earl of Portarlington, are presented in this exhibition.
Jonathan Fisher is thought to have begun his working life as a woollen-draper in The Liberties area of Dublin, before taking up his artistic career in the 1760s. He consistently exhibited his paintings and engravings, which were primarily devoted to Irish landscapes. He lived at Ship Street, Dublin with his wife Martha Price, the daughter of a Cork merchant, and supplemented their incomewith the post of Supervisor of Stamps at the Stamp Office on Eustace Street, from 1778 until his death in 1809.
OMPETITION TIME!
Win a 1-night stay at the beautiful Great Southern Killarney hotel and a €100 Voucher for Crawford Gallery Café
Simply send us your artistic views of Killarney by 9 June 2019 and follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter)
5 lucky runners-up will also receive books from our shop!
This competition runs in conjunction with
THAT ABRUPT MAGNIFICENCE Jonathan Fisher’s Views of Killarney until 9 June
The best entries will be shared on our social media channels. The overall winning entry and recipient of the Grand Prize will be announced after the final closing date on 9 June.
