Lilian Lucy Davidson ARHA (1879-1954)
The Seine, Paris, Through Trees
Watercolour, 40 x 33cm (15¾ x 13'')
Signed with monogram

Originally from Bray, Co. Wicklow, Lilian Davidson studied at...

Lilian Lucy Davidson ARHA (1879-1954)
The Seine, Paris, Through Trees
Watercolour, 40 x 33cm (15¾ x 13'')
Signed with monogram

Originally from Bray, Co. Wicklow, Lilian Davidson studied at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art where she was a prize-winning student. In 1897 she won the RDS Scholarship which carried a free studentship, it didnt come too soon as that was the year of her fathers death. She began exhibiting at the RHA in 1914 and did so regularly until her death. When in Dublin she taught painting privately in her studio and at schools around the county. Although not in very buoyant financial circumstances she travelled extensively and did so for most of her life. She painted landscapes in France, Belgium and Switzerland, besides various parts of Ireland.

She first exhibited at the Watercolour Society in 1912, and did so until 1954. She also exhibited regularly with the Dublin Painters Society (1939-54) and the Munster Fine Art Club, and was part of an interesting circle, being friendly with Jack Yeats whom she painted. She also wrote plays under the pseudonym of Ulick Burke, and her most famous play 'Bride' was directed at the Gate Theatre by Hilton Edwards, with sets designed by Michael McLiammoir. She was certainly aware of the works of Honore Daumier and Jean Francois Millet and used the same prototype of humanity for important works depicting the Irish Peasant. Davidson portrayed the Claddagh, the Irish-speaking district of Galway, at a time when she was involved with the Torch Theatre for whom she was writing a play.

Her portraits of Jack B. Yeats and Sarah Purser can be found in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Ireland, and other works including a self-portrait 'The Golden Shawl' are in Dublin City Gallery, the Hugh Lane, the Abbey Theatre and Ulster Museum Collections.

 

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