Connemara Landscape with Donkey and Cottages
Original painting on board (likely masonite or canvas board) • Anne Tallentire (Irish, born 1949)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Irish Landscape / Post-Impressionist Traditionalism
Medium & Technique
Oil on board; executed with wet-on-wet brushwork, palette knife applications for the white cottages, and visible impasto in the foreground vegetation and clouds.
Creation Period
Circa 1965-1975
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 36 inches (30 x 91 cm); Panoramic horizontal landscape format.
Subject Description
A panoramic rural landscape featuring the rugged terrain of Western Ireland. The composition includes a stone wall (dry stone dyke) in the mid-ground, a lone donkey in a field of yellow gorse/wildflowers, and traditional white-washed thatched cottages set against blue-grey misted mountains, likely the Twelve Bens in Connemara.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the paint layer appears stable with vibrant colors and no immediate signs of flaking or significant moisture damage.
Estimated Market Value
$800 - $1,200 USD
Auction Estimate
$600 - $900 USD
Provenance History
Purchased in Ireland in the 1970s; inherited by the current owner from their mother. Consistent with the artist's early career sales through regional Irish galleries.
Art Historical Significance
Anne Tallentire is a notable Irish artist whose early work, such as this piece, focused on the atmospheric and romanticized landscapes of the West of Ireland. While her later career shifted toward conceptual and installation art, these earlier oil paintings remain highly collectible within the market for Traditional Irish Art.
Notable Features
Boldly signed 'Anne Tallentire' in the lower right corner. The specific panoramic format is a characteristic framing device used by the artist to capture the breadth of the Irish countryside.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust and generalized yellowing of the varnish layer; slight frame rubbing along the edges; the gilded frame shows minor corner separation.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning to remove dust; check for acidity of the backing board. Display away from direct sunlight and high humidity to prevent warping of the support board.
Collector Notes
Inherited from mother . Purchased in Ireland in 1970’s