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22
Sir John Lavery RA RHA (1856-1941)
“Bringing Home the Turf: The Kingdom of Kerry”
Oil on canvas, 50.8 x 60.9cm (20 x 24”)
Signed, also signed and inscribed verso
Remains of artist’s studio label verso with title “The Kingdom of Ke...”; inscribed in another hand “Bringing home
the turf - Kerry by John Lavery 1924”
Exhibited:
International Exposition of Art in Trade
, Jordan Marsh Co., Boston, Mass., under the title
Bringing Home
the Turf
, with other labels giving the title
Bringing Home the Turf.
In 1924 Lavery and his wife Hazel made a return trip to Kerry, staying with Lord Castlerosse at Kenmare House.
The paintings done in the garden are well known but Lavery also endeavoured to paint a series of southern landscapes
taking their inspiration directly from the Kerry countryside, with the intention of staging an ‘Irish’ exhibition.
The artist is intent on capturing the elusive and shifting light patterns of the moody landscape; in this case the after-
glow of evening beginning to build up in a valley as a figure in a donkey cart steadily makes his way home, carrying
his load. Highlights of white on the figure and donkey cart distinguish them from the earthy tones of the landscape.
Lavery demonstrated his sensitivity for colour in the streaks of ochre, red and green which enliven the flow of the
fields and hills.The tone of the receding mountains, lit lavender by the setting sun, is echoed in the shrubbery at the
forefront of the picture.
The title of this picture bears some confusion. From the fragmentary artist’s label, it seems to have started out as
‘The Kingdom of Kerry’ but there is an extant picture that carries this title, which also features a man and donkey.
‘Bringing Home the Turf ’ was probably attached to it when the picture went to America in following years, perhaps
to make the painting more commercially saleable.
We would like to acknowledge Prof. Kenneth Mc Conkey, whose research and writings formed the basis of this
catalogue entry.
€30,000 - 50,000
