Who painted Glen Druid, Ireland?

Glen Druid, Ireland was painted by Edward William Cooke in 1850.

Where can I see Glen Druid, Ireland?

Glen Druid, Ireland is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

Glen Druid, Ireland

Glen Druid, Ireland is a drawing by Edward William Cooke. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Edward Cooke’s pencil drawing, dated 11 October 1850, depicts the Glen Druid valley in Ireland.

About this work

Overview

Edward Cooke’s pencil drawing, dated 11 October 1850, depicts the Glen Druid valley in Ireland. Rendered in a restrained, monochromatic palette, the work presents a quiet natural scene that emphasizes the subtle interplay of light and shadow across the landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a gently rolling valley where modest vegetation—bushes and grasses—occupies the foreground, leading the eye toward a solitary rock formation that rises in the distance. The sparse arrangement of trees and the expansive sky convey a sense of calm and isolation within the Irish countryside.

Technique & Style

Executed entirely in graphite, Cooke employs fine, cross‑hatched lines to model form and texture, while broader strokes suggest the mass of the rock outcrop. The muted tonal range creates atmospheric depth, a hallmark of mid‑nineteenth‑century British‑Irish topographical drawing.

History & Provenance

Created during a period when artists frequently documented remote locales for scientific and travel publications, the drawing bears a precise date, indicating its likely use as a field study. Its provenance traces back to Cooke’s personal sketchbooks before entering a private collection, where it remains accessible for scholarly reference.