An iconic Irish painting has returned to Ireland after being away for 35 years.
The painting of the Battle of Clontarf by Hugh Frazer was on display in Hawaii.
The large painting (3 metres x 2 metres) depicts Brian Boru at his tent in the left foreground overlooking the main battle stretching into the distance with Howth in the background.
The painting will go on free display from 15th March to the 24th of April at the Casino at Marino, which is in the care of the Office of Public Works (OPW). Pauline Kennedy of the OPW said “the Casino is an appropriate venue for the painting as the buildings' creator, James Caulfeild, 1st earl of Charlemont (1728-1799) was widely acknowledged as a connoisseur of the Arts and the foremost collector of some famous paintings, which have contributed to both the Irish National Collection as well as many International collections of note. The location of Casino Marino on a hill overlooking the panorama of Dublin Bay is an ideal viewing point from which to plot the scene of the battle using the paintings' elevated landscape as a lens to view this iconic landmark in history.”
Collette Gill, chair of the Clontarf 2014 committee has been working on this project behind the scenes for the last few months. “Our committee is delighted to have this iconic painting of the Battle of Clontarf back here in Ireland for the 2014 millennium commemoration and the Casino at Marino is such a fitting place to show this wonderful painting. The elevated site of the Casino would have overlooked the battle one thousand years ago. We are very grateful to Kildare Partners for returning this painting to Ireland for the Irish public to enjoy during this important commemoration.”
More about Hugh Frazer
The painting was painted in 1826 by Irish landscape painter Hugh Frazer. Frazer was born in Dromore, County Down. He began to exhibit in the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) in 1826, the same year he painted the Battle of Clontarf. He was elected an Associate of the RHA in 1830 and later became a Member in 1837. Frazer later became a Professor of Painting there from 1839 to 1853. He was also instrumental in setting up the Association of Artists in Belfast in 1836 and was its first president. In July 1861 he resigned his membership of the RHA “owing to future absence from Dublin and perhaps from Ireland”.
More about the Battle of Clontarf Millennium Commemorations
The 23rd April 2014 is the millennium anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf. This event is of both National and International importance as it commemorates a seminal battle in European history.
The Battle of Clontarf is one of the best known events in Irish history and it is being commemorated nationally and in particular in Clontarf.
www.clontarf.ie/2014 or www.brianborumillennium.ie
More about OPW Casino Marino
The Casino was designed by Sir William Chambers as a pleasure house for James Caulfeild, 1st earl of Charlemont. It is regarded as one of the finest masterpieces of 18th century neo-classical buildings in Europe. The Casino, meaning "small house", surprisingly contains 16 finely decorated rooms with ornate plasterwork and richly patterned marquetry floors, endlessly rich in subtlety and design. It is a remarkable building - both in terms of structure and history.
