Cornelius Varley (1781-1873) Between the Upper & Lower Lakes, Killarney Ireland

Cornelius Varley was a founding member of the Old Water-colour Society in 1804 and is known for his use of the camera obscura and his invention of the 'graphic telescope'. He had a close kinship with his brother John and both were also members of the Sketching Society (1799-1851). 
 
'In 1808, [Varley] made a journey to Ireland, at the invitation of Lady Olivia Sparrow, at whose home at Brampton, Huntingdonshire he had worked the previous year. After nearly six months staying near Armagh, either at her own house at Tandragee, or nearby at her father, Lord Gosford's at Markethill, Varley travelled around a great part of the south before his return.' [1]
 
Varley's Irish works from 1808 are rare to come on the market. A different view by the artist of the Upper Lake at Killarney was sold by Phillips in 1995. Interestingly it also had a label for Thomas Agnew & Sons, suggesting they may have been sold at the same time by the dealer.
 
Medium: Pencil and sepia watercolour on paper, 17.5 x 23.5cm (34 x 40cm framed).
 
Provenance: Thomas Agnew & Sons Ltd, Exhibition no. 5, stock no. 13840 (label verso).
 
Literature:
 
[1] Lowell Libson 'Cornelius Varley: The Art of Observation', Exhibition Catalogue, Belgium: Lowell Libson, 2005, p.14.
 
Condition report: generally in very good condition. A few small time marks on the watercolour and mount. Frame shows a small amount of wear.