William Percy French
William Percy French (1 May 1854 24 January 1920), was a landscape painter, sketcher and illustrator. Alongside this he was also a poet, opera composer and author of many popular songs which he performed around the world. Born at Cloonyquin House, County Roscommon, he was the son of an Anglo-Irish landlord. Having graduated from Trinity College Dublin he became an Inspector of Drains with the County Cavan Board of Works. Even while fulfilling this role he produced a large number of watercolours and considered art to be his true vocation. The Board of Works downsized in 1887 and having spent a brief period as editor of the weekly comic The Jarvey French began his career as a songwriter and entertainer. www.whytes.ie At this time French married Ethel Armitage-Moore, but tragically she died along with their daughter in childbirth. His musical career was a great success and he travelled the world performing in the United States, Canada, the West Indies, Switzerland and England. All the while he was painting the light and landscape of these disparate places. He exhibited regularly with the Royal Hibernian Society and the Watercolour Society of Ireland as well as several galleries in London. Percy French died at the age of 65 having contracted pneumonia at a series of concerts in Glasgow. Exhibitions of his work were held in 1974, 1979 and 1982 at the Oriel Gallery in Dublin and in 1983 the Percy French Society was founded. About 80 of his watercolours are included at their Heritage Centre in North County Down. www.whytes.ie
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'DONEGAL, 1909'
- Price Realised: 5,200
- Sale: 06 March 2023
- watercolour
- 10 x 14in. (25.40 x 35.56cm)
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'CROAGH PATRICK'
- Price Realised: 5,200
- Sale: 02 March 2009
- watercolour
- 22 by 30cm., 8.5 by 12in.
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'BOGLAND STREAM WITH HEATHER IN FLOWER'
- Price Realised: 5,200
- Sale: 30 April 2007
- watercolour
- 17 by 25cm., 6.75 by 9.75in.
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'A BOGLAND STREAM WITH GORSE IN FLOWER, 1891'
- Price Realised: 5,200
- Sale: 19 February 2007
- watercolour
- 18 by 25cm., 7 by 9.75in.
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'FALCARRAGH, COUNTY DONEGAL, 1908'
- Price Realised: 5,000
- Sale: 27 February 2017
- watercolour
- 6½ x 9Όin. (16.51 x 23½cm)
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'BRINGING HOME THE TURF'
- Price Realised: 5,000
- Sale: 29 November 2010
- watercolour
- 18 by 24cm., 7 by 9.5in.
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'SUNSET OVER A LOUGH'
- Price Realised: 5,000
- Sale: 29 November 2005
- watercolour
- 17 by 25cm., 6.75 by 10in.
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'SAILBOATS, 1908, BEACH SCENE WITH SAILBOAT, 1909 and BOG LAKE (SET OF THREE)'
- Price Realised: 4,800
- Sale: 06 March 2023
- watercolours; (3); (framed together)
- 4 x 6in. (10.16 x 15.24cm)
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'BOG LANDSCAPE, 1916'
- Price Realised: 4,800
- Sale: 26 May 2014
- watercolour
- 9 by 13in., 22.5 by 32.5cm.
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'COTTAGES IN BOG LANDSCAPE, 1916'
- Price Realised: 4,800
- Sale: 24 February 2014
- watercolour
- 7 by 10in., 17.5 by 25cm.
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'CARLINGFORD LOUGH WITH BOAT, 1914'
- Price Realised: 4,800
- Sale: 28 September 2009
- watercolour
- 25 by 35cm., 10 by 13.7 5in.
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'FALCARRAGH, COUNTY DONEGAL'
- Price Realised: 4,800
- Sale: 17 September 2002
- watercolour
- 13 by 19cm., 5.25 by 7.5in.
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'SUNSET OVER A BOG, 1906'
- Price Realised: 4,600
- Sale: 27 September 2021
- watercolour
- 7 x 9½in. (17.78 x 24.13cm)
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'COASTAL SCENE WITH PIER IN BACKGROUND, 1903'
- Price Realised: 4,600
- Sale: 30 November 2015
- watercolour
- 9 x 13Όin. (22.86 x 33.66cm)
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'BOGLAND NEAR TWELVE BENS, CONNEMARA, 1900'
- Price Realised: 4,600
- Sale: 31 May 2010
- watercolour
- 33 by 48cm., 13 by 19in.
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'PENMAENMAWR FROM THE CHAPEL, GOGARTH ANGLESEY'
- Price Realised: 4,571
- Sale: 10 October 2000
- watercolour
- 18 by 25cm., 7 by 10in.
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'WAR TORN FRANCE, YPRES'
- Price Realised: 4,570
- Sale: 13 March 2001
- watercolour
- 23 by 32cm., 9 by 12.5in.
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'SWISS ALPINE SCENE WITH FIGURE PULLING SLED'
- Price Realised: 4,400
- Sale: 17 September 2007
- watercolour
- 13 by 18cm., 5 by 7in.
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'LANDSCAPE WITH TREES'
- Price Realised: 4,400
- Sale: 08 May 2002
- watercolour
- 14 by 23cm., 5.5 by 9in.
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'MEANDERING STREAM IN A HILLY LANDSCAPE'
- Price Realised: 4,316
- Sale: 13 June 2001
- watercolour
- 28 by 44cm., 11 by 17.5in.
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'ESTUARY WITH MOUNTAINS IN DISTANCE'
- Price Realised: 4,250
- Sale: 25 February 2008
- watercolour
- 17 by 25cm., 6.75 by 9.75in.
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'SEAGULLS BY THE SHORE'
- Price Realised: 4,200
- Sale: 02 October 2023
- watercolour
- 6Ύ x 10in. (17.15 x 25.40cm)
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'BOG LAKE'
- Price Realised: 4,200
- Sale: 02 October 2023
- watercolour
- 9Ό x 13in. (23½ x 33.02cm)
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'HA'PENNY BRIDGE, DUBLIN'
- Price Realised: 4,200
- Sale: 31 May 2021
- watercolour
- 6Ύ x 8Ύin. (17.15 x 22.23cm)
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'BOG LAKE AT SUNSET'
- Price Realised: 4,200
- Sale: 26 February 2018
- watercolour
- 6Ύ x 9½in. (17.15 x 24.13cm)
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'SAILING BOAT ON A LAKE, 1910'
- Price Realised: 4,200
- Sale: 26 February 2018
- watercolour
- 6Ύ x 9Ύin. (17.15 x 24.77cm)
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'BOAT ON A LAKE WITH MOUNTAINS IN THE DISTANCE'
- Price Realised: 4,200
- Sale: 26 February 2018
- watercolour
- 6 x 9½in. (15.24 x 24.13cm)
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'BOG LAKE IN SUMMER'
- Price Realised: 4,200
- Sale: 27 February 2017
- watercolour
- 6Ύ x 9Ύin. (17.15 x 24.77cm)