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You are > Home > Visual glory gets a fine-art new look
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Thursday, July 29, 2010
Visual glory gets a fine-art new look
THE OLD story about Enniscorthy having a vista comparable to Prague or some other famous continental landscape has been given new impetus with the appearance of a striking textured fine-art print of the town in the heart of Co. Wexford.
A dramatic and atmospheric painting of Enniscorthy by artist/historian Peter Pearson, a Dubliner now living in Crossabeg and with strong Wexford connections, was recently completed, featuring the town’s most famous landmarks and with the Blackstairs Mountain range as a backdrop.
Looking down on and out over Enniscorthy, the scene presents a pattern of streets and buildings in an evocative patchwork of light and shade, structure and space, instantly recognisable by locals.
The on-high view of the cathedral town from the Turret Rocks, overlooking the River Slaney is part of the current Enniscorthy 1500 celebrations, and will adorn the eagerly-awaited ‘History of Enniscorthy’ book edited by Colm Tóibín, and which is due to appear in November.
The commission of the illustration was originally an idea of editor Tóibín, and it may form a possible end-paper inside of the new book’s cover, acting as the publication’s primary purpose, acting as a visual link to the text.
A limited edition of 250 of the fine art print of the Pearson painting are now on sale, retailing at €65 each to individuals (€100 to institutions), and available from Enniscorthy Town Council or from the town’s public library.
The official launch of the limited edition prints was made by Town Council Cathaoirleach Paddy Kavanagh at Enniscorthy Library on Thursday night, when he said that work ‘provided an essay on Enniscorthy’s architecture and landscape.’
“It is a beautiful memento of our 1500 celebrations and of the town today, for anyone who chooses to buy it,” he said, “It’s a lovely present, especially with Christmas in mind, for a family member or friend, at home or abroad.
“It is a beautiful moment in time in the Enniscorthy 1500 celebrations, and will be worth a few bob in years to come.” Each individual print is signed by the artist and authenticated with a certificate.
Cllr. Kavanagh predicted that each copy of the print is expected to become more valuable as a piece of art as well as a heritage project.
The absence from the painting of what is surely Enniscorthy’s best-known landmark Vinegar Hill itself was light-heartedly commented on by Peter Pearson, when he pointed out that, in framing the town when capturing the scene, the famous 1798 edifice is actually behind the viewer.
Peter Pearson told the gathering of the challenge the painting had been in his effort to encapsulate the whole townscape in the one visual image of what is a very attractive town, set on hills and with its wonderful architecture.
“As an urban centre, Enniscorthy has not been mutilated or destroyed by over-large development or buildings.”
He said the town has many attractive sights which locals sometimes take for granted and do no see the same way as an outsider or visitor might, singling out the Slaney and its bridges.
“The painting captures a moment in time in the life of the town,” said Pearson, whose family on the maternal side were the Letts.
The prints are accessibly priced with the objective of their being attainable by everyone, in the hope that they will feature in many homes in Enniscorthy.
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