Who painted Upper Lake Glendalough?

Upper Lake Glendalough was painted by William Howis senior in 1858.

Where can I see Upper Lake Glendalough?

Upper Lake Glendalough is held by National Gallery of Ireland.

What movement is Upper Lake Glendalough?

Upper Lake Glendalough is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Upper Lake Glendalough

William Howis senior , 1858

Upper Lake Glendalough is an unspecified painting by the Realist artist William Howis senior. It dates from 1858 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1858 by Irish painter William Howis senior, this oil work depicts the Upper Lake at Glendalough. The composition centers on a still body of water that mirrors the surrounding hills and trees, set beneath an overcast sky. The painting is part of the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection, offering a quiet representation of the Wicklow landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The scene presents a tranquil lake flanked by a line of trees and shrubbery in the foreground, with gentle hills rising beyond. The muted palette and calm water convey a sense of repose, inviting contemplation of nature’s subdued beauty rather than dramatic narrative. The work emphasizes atmosphere over specific historical events.

Technique & Style

Howis employs soft, blended brushstrokes and a restrained colour scheme of greys, greens, and earth tones. The diffuse lighting, caused by the overcast sky, flattens shadows and enhances the reflective surface of the water. This approach aligns with mid‑nineteenth‑century Irish landscape traditions that favored modest realism and tonal harmony.

History & Provenance

Painted in the late 1850s, the piece entered the National Gallery of Ireland’s holdings, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s effort to document Irish scenery through native artists of the period, preserving Howis’s contribution to the visual record of Wicklow’s natural environment.