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Jonathan Fisher, Irish, 1735-1809
Title: The Waterfall in Powerscourt Park, County Wicklow
Date: 1795
Medium: Etching and aquatint on paper
Dimensions:
Sheet: 26.3 x 40.9 cm
Plate: 24.5 x 29 cm
Credit Line: Purchased, 1998
Object Number: NGI.20894.54
DescriptionPlunging 116m from the River Glenislorane, in 'a magnificent amphitheatre of mountains covered with trees to the summit of the cascade' (Fisher The Scenery of Ireland, 1796)', the waterfall has been a popular site to visit since the 18th century, especially on day trips from Dublin. It may have part inspired Burke's essay on the 'Sublime and Beautiful' (1757) and George Barret painted there and along the wooded River Dargle around 1760. Agriculturalist Arthur Young described the setting, with the 'immense' precipice and 'roar of water at the bottom' (A Tour of Ireland, 1779). The rickety bridge shown by Fisher was swept away when the waterfall was dammed and then released to mark the visit by Geroge IV (fortunately absent due to a hangover). Fisher issued his 60 aquatint views of Ireland in sets of 6 at half a guinea, with a bound edition published in 1796 (this copy owned by the 1st Earl of Charleville).
Inscription(on flyleaf, in graphite): From the Charleville Forest, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Library. Coronet of 1st Earl of Charleville and crests of Moore and Bury.
(Title Page Lettering): Scenery of Ireland illustrated in a series of prints of select views, castles and abbies, drawn and engraved in aquatinta by Jonathan Fisher. Volume the first containing sixty prints with a letter press description to each. Price Six Guineas. Published by J. Debrett Piccadilly for the author No. 39. Great Ship Street, Dublin 1795. O'Connor Scripsit/ Ferguson Sculpsit.
(in plate, lettering): The Waterfall in Powerscourt Park, Co. Wicklow/ Dublin Published by J. Fisher Jan 1795
(Title Page Lettering): Scenery of Ireland illustrated in a series of prints of select views, castles and abbies, drawn and engraved in aquatinta by Jonathan Fisher. Volume the first containing sixty prints with a letter press description to each. Price Six Guineas. Published by J. Debrett Piccadilly for the author No. 39. Great Ship Street, Dublin 1795. O'Connor Scripsit/ Ferguson Sculpsit.
(in plate, lettering): The Waterfall in Powerscourt Park, Co. Wicklow/ Dublin Published by J. Fisher Jan 1795