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Trevor Thomas Fowler , Irish, 1810-1881

Title

Children Dancing at the Crossroads

Datec.1835

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions

71 x 92 cm

Credit LinePurchased, 1975

Object numberNGI.4122

Exhibition HistoryOidhreacht: Transforming Tradition, Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda, 13 June 2019 - 14 September 2019

Label TextFowler worked principally in an established portrait tradition, but occasionally demonstrated a more fashionable interest in scenes of everyday life. The setting for this sentimental depiction of children taking part in an impromptu dance is possibly the midlands or south-west of Ireland, parts of the country with which the artist was certainly familiar. Though the children are barefoot and dishevelled, their good humour and apparent health belie the hardship endured by Ireland’s rural communities at the time. Shortly after painting this picture, Fowler emigrated to America, where he worked successfully as an itinerant portrait painter for several decades.