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Lot Essay
Gage is recorded as an amateur marine artist who was a patron of the Reverend James Bourne (1773-1854). He succeeded to the title in 1798 and in 1809 he married a daughter of the Earl of Kenmare.
The watercolours are sold with the artist's original journal entitled A short account of the scenery of Killarney. The journal discusses the artist's object in executing the watercolours and his response to the beauty of the landscape, and suggests advice on what a traveller should aim to see in the area as well as comments about the views depicted in three of the watercolours. Gage writes:
'There is scarcely any object of amusement I have desired so much to attain as the power of expressing by coloured drawings the remarkable scenes of any country where I might chance to be stationed. A residence of fifteen months among the beauty of Killarney has determined me to execute this plan.
The Beauties of Killarney are so inexhaustible that it would be in vain ever to expect to give a perfect description of them. Lord Kenmore's Deer Park which is within a mile of the Town may be visited in an evening and affords many grand general views of the lake, with the whole range of the Reeks. The view from the iron gate on either side is inferior to none in the country. Turk Lake possesses a character very distinct from both the other lakes of Killarney, it has none of the wild seclusion of the Upper Lake nor the grand variety of the Lower; but impresses on the mind an idea of quiet, not without a mixture of solemnity. The most favourable entrance is through Brickeen Bridge, from which it extends about two miles in length and one in breadth. The next object of curiosity to the Eastward of Killarney is Glen Fesk, so-called from the river which runs through it to the sea near Kenmare. It is about six miles distant from Killarney and an excellent carriage road leads by this glen to Kenmare and Bantry.
...The River Flesk skirts the road in the valley and in many parts winds through considerable woods. There is a bridge on this road which will be particularly noticed among the drawings.'
The watercolours are sold with the artist's original journal entitled A short account of the scenery of Killarney. The journal discusses the artist's object in executing the watercolours and his response to the beauty of the landscape, and suggests advice on what a traveller should aim to see in the area as well as comments about the views depicted in three of the watercolours. Gage writes:
'There is scarcely any object of amusement I have desired so much to attain as the power of expressing by coloured drawings the remarkable scenes of any country where I might chance to be stationed. A residence of fifteen months among the beauty of Killarney has determined me to execute this plan.
The Beauties of Killarney are so inexhaustible that it would be in vain ever to expect to give a perfect description of them. Lord Kenmore's Deer Park which is within a mile of the Town may be visited in an evening and affords many grand general views of the lake, with the whole range of the Reeks. The view from the iron gate on either side is inferior to none in the country. Turk Lake possesses a character very distinct from both the other lakes of Killarney, it has none of the wild seclusion of the Upper Lake nor the grand variety of the Lower; but impresses on the mind an idea of quiet, not without a mixture of solemnity. The most favourable entrance is through Brickeen Bridge, from which it extends about two miles in length and one in breadth. The next object of curiosity to the Eastward of Killarney is Glen Fesk, so-called from the river which runs through it to the sea near Kenmare. It is about six miles distant from Killarney and an excellent carriage road leads by this glen to Kenmare and Bantry.
...The River Flesk skirts the road in the valley and in many parts winds through considerable woods. There is a bridge on this road which will be particularly noticed among the drawings.'