Original Irish Watercolour by George C. Nash (1897 to 1966) of Binevenagh & River Roe Estuary

Artist: GEORGE C. NASH (1897–1966)
River Roe Estuary & Binevenagh Mountain, Co. Derry
Original Signed Watercolour – Period Belfast Art Dealer Provenance

Beautiful original mid-20th-century watercolour by George C. Nash, depicting the dramatic landscape of Binevenagh Mountain overlooking the River Roe estuary in County Derry/Londonderry.

The work is prominently signed “GEORGE. C. NASH” lower right with the artist’s distinctive extended flourish.

Nash is an increasingly interesting figure in 20th-century Northern Irish cultural history. His known artistic output centres strongly on the landscapes and coastline of the North of Ireland, with recorded subjects including Binevenagh, Dunseverick Harbour and the Ballintoy area, alongside western Irish subjects.

The attribution is particularly compelling here as Binevenagh itself is a documented George C. Nash subject appearing on the Northern Irish auction market.

ARTIST

George C. Nash:
Nash was also a writer and humorist. His celebrated 1930s Roughover trilogy comprised Letters to the Secretary of a Golf Club (1935), General Forcursue and Co. (1936) and Whelk’s Postbag (1937), with his humorous writing associated with Punch magazine. His life and career remain of sufficient historical interest that the British Golf Collectors Society records a dedicated biographical study, George C Nash 1897–1966.

He later wrote The LMS at War, published by the London Midland and Scottish Railway in 1946.

DEALER PROVENANCE

A Belfast art-dealer provenance of particular interest, the painting retains the original trade label verso for:

F.G. Davis & Sons Ltd.
Picture Framers & Art Dealers
19 North Street Arcade, Belfast

This was not simply a modern framing shop but a Belfast picture framing and art-dealing business, giving the work an excellent period Northern Irish connection.

The frame, mount, backing and surviving dealer label all contribute to the wonderful period character of the piece.

THE PAINTING

Nash uses loose, transparent washes to capture the distinctive mass of Binevenagh, with its great escarpment rising above the flatter estuary landscape.

The restrained blue-grey mountain, atmospheric sky, dark tree line and reflective foreground water are particularly characteristic of traditional mid-century Irish landscape watercolour.

The result is a highly atmospheric depiction of one of the North Coast’s most recognisable landscapes.

DETAILS

Artist: George C. Nash
Dates: 1897–1966
Subject: River Roe Estuary & Binevenagh Mountain, Co. Derry
Medium: Watercolour on paper
Signed: Lower right, “GEORGE. C. NASH”
Period: Mid-20th century
Provenance/presentation: F.G. Davis & Sons Ltd., Picture Framers & Art Dealers, 19 North Street Arcade, Belfast label verso
Frame: Period gilt frame, mounted and glazed
Condition: Good vintage condition overall, with age-related wear to the frame/backing consistent with age. Please examine photographs.

An excellent piece for collectors of Northern Irish art, County Derry history, North Coast art, Binevenagh/Roe Valley memorabilia, vintage Irish watercolours or George C. Nash.

Collection preferred due to the original glazed frame.