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283 JAMES FORRESTER (C. 1730 -1776)Landscape with figures overlooking a waterfall
Oil on canvas, 87 x 118cm
€8,000 - 12,000
An Irish landscape painter, John Forrester had a short career in Dublin working with the Society’s School of drawing, before moving to
Rome in 1755, where he spent the last twenty years of his life. He travelled extensively while living in Italy to familiarise himself with
the landscape. He is best known for vast romantic landscapes depicting scenes of idyllic pastoral life and his drawings are particularly
renowned, such as his eight views of Italian scenes which were purchased by William Henry Dawson, 1st Earl of Portarlington. Two
drawings from this group, ‘Waterfall’ and ‘Italian View’ are in the V & A Museum collection.
He contributed to ‘A Collection of Some of the Finest Prospects in Italy’ in 1762, which included numerous engravings by artists including
Forrester. In the volume Forrester depicted the views of the city of Terni across the lake. A lush valley, populated by olive groves and
vineyards, it was perfectly suited to Forrester’s style pf painting. While he was a consummate draughtsman, including topographical
accuracy to the landscape depicted there remains an element of an imagined romantic mood in his landscapes. This present example
seems to reflect a reimaging of Terni by Forrester. A rushing waterfall thunders over the sheer precipice of the cliff tumbling downwards
to the valley below. The scene frames two figures in the foreground pausing to rest. The vastness of the environs almost consumes
them except for the strong accents of red in their costumes. However, unlike other romantic 18th century works, Forrester does not
dress his figures up in classical Arcadian guise but instead presents them in ordinary attire, one carrying a walking staff adding an
almost religious sentiment to the work.