CHATSWORTH FINE ART SALE April 29th, 30th & May 1st 2026

76 IMPERFECTIONS NOT STATED Fonsie Mealy’s Est. 1934 785. Jonathan Fisher (c 1740-1809) “Torc Lake, Killarney, c. 1770”O.O.P., 54cms x 67cms (21” x 26”). (1) * Of all the artists working in Ireland in the latter half of the eighteenth century, one who remained faithful to depicting actual scenes, as opposed to idealized ‘Claudean’ views, was Jonathan Fisher. In this dramatic view, he captures both the picturesque and sublime qualities of the Lakes of Killarney. In the foreground, struggling against the wind, two figures make their way along a ridge. The ridge stands out against the waters of the lake, at the edge of which cattle and sheep are gathered in a field. In the distance, a horse-drawn wagon approaches along a mountain road. In the background, behind Torc Mountain, dark storm clouds gather. Areas of light and dark, intersecting at angles, add to the intense visual drama of the scene. Born in Dublin, Fisher was largely self-taught as an artist. In 1763, while living in Dame Street, he was awarded a premium of ten guineas for a landscape, and the following year he moved to Great Ship Street. The inaugural exhibition of the Society of Artists, held in George’s Lane in 1765, included several works by Fisher, and he was a regular contributor until 1801. In 1768 he was awarded the Dublin Society’s prize for best landscape. His patron, John, first Earl of Portarlington, himself an amateur artist, stayed in Fisher’s house when in Dublin. In 1770 Fisher published six large views of Killarney, engraved after paintings by himself, including The Eagle’s Nest, The Canal between the Lakes, O’Sullivan’s Cascade and the Lakes of Killarney. Two years later he published views of Carlingford, Rostrevor and NarrowWater Castle. He also published small views of Irish cities, including Kilkenny, Cork, Belfast andWaterford. In 1789 he published a portfolio of engravings, A Picturesque Tour of Killarney. In 1792 Fisher commenced the issue of a series of views of scenery in Ireland aquatinted by himself. These were published in 1796 as Scenery of Ireland illustrated in a series of prints of select Views, Castles and Abbies, drawn and engraved in Aquatint by Jonathan Fisher. Peter Murray 2026 €5,000 - €7,000