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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'TREES AND BOG'
- Price Realised: 3,600
- Sale: 26 November 2018
- watercolour
- 8 x 12in. (20.32 x 30.48cm)
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'A STORMY SKY'
- Price Realised: 3,600
- Sale: 02 October 2017
- watercolour
- 6½ x 9½in. (16.51 x 24.13cm)
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'BOG RIVER, COUNTY ROSCOMMON'
- Price Realised: 3,600
- Sale: 28 November 2016
- watercolour
- 7 x 9½in. (17.78 x 24.13cm)
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'VIEW FROM SALTHILL HOTEL, DUBLIN BAY'
- Price Realised: 3,600
- Sale: 25 May 2015
- watercolour
- 6½ x 8½in. (16.51 x 21.59cm)
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'BROOK BEFORE MOUNTAINS OF MOURNE, 1910'
- Price Realised: 3,600
- Sale: 10 October 2011
- watercolour
- 23 by 17cm., 9.25 by 6.5in.
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'ALPINE TREE, 1914'
- Price Realised: 3,600
- Sale: 29 November 2010
- watercolour
- 25 by 18cm., 10 by 7in.
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'VIEW ALONG A STRAND, POSSIBLY BUNDORAN, 1905'
- Price Realised: 3,600
- Sale: 28 April 2008
- watercolour
- 13 by 17cm., 5 by 6.5in.
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'BOGLAKE'
- Price Realised: 3,500
- Sale: 04 March 2024
- watercolour
- 5 x 7in. (12.70 x 17.78cm)
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'COASTAL SCENE, DONEGAL'
- Price Realised: 3,400
- Sale: 02 October 2023
- watercolour
- 4Ύ x 6Ύin. (12.07 x 17.15cm)
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'COLLECTING TURF, WEST OF IRELAND'
- Price Realised: 3,400
- Sale: 26 September 2022
- watercolour
- 6Ύ x 9Ύin. (17.15 x 24.77cm)
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'TURF STACKS AND BOG RIVER'
- Price Realised: 3,400
- Sale: 26 November 2018
- watercolour
- 6Ύ x 10in. (17.15 x 25.40cm)
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'SUNSET OVER BOGLAND'
- Price Realised: 3,400
- Sale: 01 October 2018
- watercolour
- 7 x 9½in. (17.78 x 24.13cm)
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'BOG LANDSCAPE'
- Price Realised: 3,400
- Sale: 16 September 2003
- watercolour
- 19 by 27cm., 7.5 by 10.5in.
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'BRIGHT SKY OVER BOG LAKE'
- Price Realised: 3,300
- Sale: 29 November 2010
- watercolour
- 17 by 25cm., 6.75 by 9.75in.
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'COUNTRY ROAD WITH TREES, 1907'
- Price Realised: 3,200
- Sale: 16 September 2019
- watercolour
- 6½ x 9Ύin. (16.51 x 24.77cm)
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'BOG LAKE, 1912'
- Price Realised: 3,200
- Sale: 27 May 2019
- watercolour
- 6Ύ x 9Όin. (17.15 x 23½cm)
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'BOG RIVER AND MOUNTAINS'
- Price Realised: 3,200
- Sale: 26 November 2018
- watercolour
- 6Ύ x 9Ύin. (17.15 x 24.77cm)
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'HINDHEAD'
- Price Realised: 3,200
- Sale: 01 October 2018
- watercolour
- 10 x 7Ύin. (25.40 x 19.69cm)
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'THE WINDING LANE'
- Price Realised: 3,200
- Sale: 02 October 2017
- watercolour
- 6½ x 9½in. (16.51 x 24.13cm)
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'BOG LAKE'
- Price Realised: 3,200
- Sale: 27 February 2017
- watercolour
- 4Ύ x 6Ύin. (12.07 x 17.15cm)
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'SAILING SHIP'
- Price Realised: 3,200
- Sale: 30 May 2016
- watercolour
- 4Ό x 5Ύin. (10.80 x 14.61cm)
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'THAT EVENING CLOUD'
- Price Realised: 3,200
- Sale: 30 September 2013
- watercolour
- 6.5 by 10.25in., 16.25 by 25.625cm.
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'PEAT STACKS ON THE BOG'
- Price Realised: 3,200
- Sale: 12 March 2012
- watercolour
- 16.51 by 22.225cm., 6.5 by 8.75in.
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'SAILING BOATS IN A LOUGH, 1909'
- Price Realised: 3,200
- Sale: 29 November 2010
- watercolour
- 18 by 35cm., 7 by 13.7 5in.
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'A COUNTRY ROAD, 1908'
- Price Realised: 3,200
- Sale: 29 November 2010
- watercolour
- 17 by 24cm., 6.75 by 9.5in.
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'BOG LAKE WITH SUN BREAKING THROUGH CLOUDS'
- Price Realised: 3,200
- Sale: 27 April 2004
- watercolour
- 18 by 25cm., 7 by 10in.
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'BOGLAND SCENE'
- Price Realised: 3,174
- Sale: 19 November 2001
- watercolour
- 14 by 19cm., 5.5 by 7.5in.
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'BOG LAKE'
- Price Realised: 3,047
- Sale: 19 November 2001
- watercolour
- 14 by 19cm., 5.5 by 7.5in.