Somerville landscape for sale

A landscape entitled The Orchard by the west Cork painter, illustrator and writer Edith Somerville (1858-1949) features at Dolan’s art auction at Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork at 3pm on Sunday week, January 22.

The artist — best known as co-author with her cousin Violet Martin of Some Experiences of an Irish RM — studied with Whistler in Paris. A suffragette, she was president of the Munster Women’s Franchise League, as well as being master of the West Carbery Foxhounds and organist at St Barrahane’s Church in Castletownshend from 1875 to 1945.

She designed the mosaic for St Barrahane’s, her work was exhibited at the Irish Arts Society in Cork in 1883-84 and at the RHA in 1889. The Orchard, an oil on board, is estimated at €1,400-€1,800.