William Percy French
William Percy French (1 May 1854 24 January 1920), was a landscape painter, sketcher and illustrator. Alongside this he was also a poet, opera composer and author of many popular songs which he performed around the world. Born at Cloonyquin House, County Roscommon, he was the son of an Anglo-Irish landlord. Having graduated from Trinity College Dublin he became an Inspector of Drains with the County Cavan Board of Works. Even while fulfilling this role he produced a large number of watercolours and considered art to be his true vocation. The Board of Works downsized in 1887 and having spent a brief period as editor of the weekly comic The Jarvey French began his career as a songwriter and entertainer. www.whytes.ie At this time French married Ethel Armitage-Moore, but tragically she died along with their daughter in childbirth. His musical career was a great success and he travelled the world performing in the United States, Canada, the West Indies, Switzerland and England. All the while he was painting the light and landscape of these disparate places. He exhibited regularly with the Royal Hibernian Society and the Watercolour Society of Ireland as well as several galleries in London. Percy French died at the age of 65 having contracted pneumonia at a series of concerts in Glasgow. Exhibitions of his work were held in 1974, 1979 and 1982 at the Oriel Gallery in Dublin and in 1983 the Percy French Society was founded. About 80 of his watercolours are included at their Heritage Centre in North County Down. www.whytes.ie
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'TREE BY A BOG LAKE'
- Price Realised: 3,000
- Sale: 02 October 2023
- watercolour
- 9Ό x 13in. (23½ x 33.02cm)
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'BOG LAKE'
- Price Realised: 3,000
- Sale: 28 November 2022
- watercolour
- 5 x 7in. (12.70 x 17.78cm)
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'SUNSET OVER A BOG'
- Price Realised: 3,000
- Sale: 29 November 2021
- watercolour
- 6½ x 9½in. (16.51 x 24.13cm)
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'SUNSET OVER THE BOG'
- Price Realised: 3,000
- Sale: 22 March 2021
- watercolour
- 6Ό x 9½in. (15.88 x 24.13cm)
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'BOG RIVER AND BREAKING CLOUDS'
- Price Realised: 3,000
- Sale: 09 March 2020
- watercolour
- 6½ x 9½in. (16.51 x 24.13cm)
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'ROCK OF CASHEL, COUNTY TIPPERARY, 1906'
- Price Realised: 3,000
- Sale: 28 May 2018
- watercolour
- 6Ό x 9½in. (15.88 x 24.13cm)
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'REFLECTIONS II, 1909'
- Price Realised: 3,000
- Sale: 25 November 2013
- watercolour heightened with white
- 13.5 by 9.5in., 33.75 by 23.75cm.
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'BOG LANDSCAPE WITH PURPLE HEATHER and LANDSCAPE WITH TURFSTACKS (A PAIR)'
- Price Realised: 3,000
- Sale: 27 May 2013
- watercolour; (2)
- 6.75 by 9.75in., 16.875 by 24.375cm.
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'CONNEMARA SCENE, 1898'
- Price Realised: 3,000
- Sale: 28 April 2008
- watercolour
- 11 by 17cm., 4.25 by 6.75in.
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'AN ALPINE LOG CABIN, 1914'
- Price Realised: 3,000
- Sale: 28 April 2008
- watercolour
- 17 by 25cm., 6.5 by 9.75in.
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'COASTAL SCENE, THOUGHT TO BE CARLINGFORD LOUGH, LOOKING TOWARDS COUNTY LOUTH'
- Price Realised: 3,000
- Sale: 19 February 2007
- watercolour
- 13 by 17cm., 5 by 6.75in.
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'RENVYLE, CONNEMARA, COUNTY GALWAY, 1908'
- Price Realised: 2,900
- Sale: 27 September 2021
- watercolour
- 6Ύ x 9Ύin. (17.15 x 24.77cm)
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'BOG LAKE'
- Price Realised: 2,900
- Sale: 26 May 2014
- watercolour
- 6.5 by 9.5in., 16.25 by 23.75cm.
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'SCHOONER IN BAY, 1910'
- Price Realised: 2,900
- Sale: 28 September 2009
- watercolour
- 17 by 24cm., 6.5 by 9.5in.
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'BOG LANDSCAPE, 1904'
- Price Realised: 2,900
- Sale: 28 September 2009
- watercolour
- 20 by 25cm., 8 by 9.75in.
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'THE COLOUR OF ERIN'
- Price Realised: 2,800
- Sale: 31 May 2021
- watercolour
- 8½ x 13½in. (21.59 x 34.29cm)
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'COTTAGES AND BOG RIVER'
- Price Realised: 2,800
- Sale: 26 November 2018
- watercolour
- 8½ x 12½in. (21.59 x 31Ύcm)
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'BOG LAKE'
- Price Realised: 2,800
- Sale: 24 February 2014
- watercolour
- 7 by 9in., 17.5 by 22.5cm.
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'ALPINE SNOW SCENE WITH SPRUCE TREES'
- Price Realised: 2,800
- Sale: 22 February 2005
- watercolour
- 18 by 13cm., 7 by 5in.
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'SEASCAPE'
- Price Realised: 2,800
- Sale: 27 April 2004
- watercolour
- 17 by 24cm., 6.5 by 9.5in.
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'ESTUARY LANDSCAPE'
- Price Realised: 2,793
- Sale: 19 November 2001
- watercolour
- 13 by 18cm., 5 by 7in.
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'BOGLAND IN WEST OF IRELAND'
- Price Realised: 2,793
- Sale: 10 October 2000
- watercolour
- 13 by 18cm., 5 by 7in.
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'BOG LAKE'
- Price Realised: 2,700
- Sale: 26 September 2022
- watercolour
- 6Ύ x 9Ύin. (17.15 x 24.77cm)
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'BOG LAKE WITH HEATHER'
- Price Realised: 2,700
- Sale: 24 February 2014
- watercolour
- 7 by 10in., 17.5 by 25cm.
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'BOG RIVER WITH VIEW OF THE TWELVE PINS, COUNTY GALWAY'
- Price Realised: 2,700
- Sale: 31 May 2010
- watercolour
- 23 by 33cm., 9 by 13in.
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'BOG LAKE, 1912'
- Price Realised: 2,700
- Sale: 15 March 2010
- watercolour
- 11 by 17cm., 4.5 by 6.5in.
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'COASTAL SCENE, 1907'
- Price Realised: 2,600
- Sale: 28 November 2022
- watercolour
- 5½ x 7Όin. (13.97 x 18.42cm)
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'COASTAL SCENE'
- Price Realised: 2,600
- Sale: 02 December 2019
- watercolour
- 6Ό x 9Όin. (15.88 x 23½cm)