Elizabeth Willms tracks the fate of a lost series of paintings from their original setting in Rathfarnham Castle to their sale in New York
In 1771 Rathfarnham Castle was extensively renovated by Henry Loftus, Earl of Ely (1709-1783).’ An important part of this refurbishment were the ten oil paintings executed for the ceiling of the long-drawing room. It has been suggested that Lord Ely employed the Swiss-born artist Angelica Kauffmann to undertake this commission, as she spent time at Rathfarnham Castle during her visit to Ireland in 1771. This attribution has never been securely confirmed as in 1913 Rathfarnham Castle was sold to the Jesuit Society, and the panels dealing with Homer’s lore of the nymph Calypso, and Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, were disposed of. This epic theme was popular with many artists in the 18th century including William Hamilton and Benjamin West.
As Europe confronts its current refugee crisis, Kathryn Milligan looks back to 1916 when a Belgian artist was one of the 2,300 Belgian refugees who sought shelter in Ireland.
Peter Murray reflects on the cool Nordic aesthetic of Patricia Burns whose work is on view in January at the Taylor Galleries, Dublin.
Recent excavations at Rathfarnham Castle have brought the former inhabitants into focus, prompting Simon Loftus to recall some vivid episodes from the family’s history.