Richard Wasson - Ireland

Richard Wasson (Irish, 20th Century) – Ireland, Oil on Board, Double-Sided

Original oil on board by the Irish 20th-century artist Richard Wasson, titled Ireland on an old label verso. The painting depicts a broad lough or coastal inlet landscape with whitewashed cottages, low hills and a dramatic sky reflected across the water. The composition has a strong sense of atmosphere, with the small cottages set against the scale of the surrounding landscape and the large cloud forms above.

An especially interesting feature of this work is the painted composition verso. The reverse shows a related landscape scene, closer in viewpoint and with more houses visible, suggesting an earlier or abandoned version of the subject. The front appears to be the more resolved composition, with Wasson choosing a wider, more open view and reducing the architectural detail in favour of atmosphere and distance. Remnants of old tape around the back of the frame suggest the reverse image may once have been covered by a backing board before being revealed again later.

The work is signed lower left and presented in its original painted frame. A fascinating double-sided studio piece, offering a glimpse into Wasson’s working process as well as a decorative Irish landscape in its own right.

Artist: Richard Wasson
Title: Ireland
Medium: Oil on board
Date: 20th century
Framed size: 82 x 71.5 cm
Unframed size: 70 x 60 cm
Signature: Signed lower left
Frame: Framed
Condition: The painting is in good overall vintage condition, with some surface dirt and age-related wear. There is a very small area of damage to the top edge of the board where a piece appears to have flaked and been pasted back in place; this is barely noticeable when displayed and is shown in the photographs. The painted composition verso is considerably more damaged and scuffed, as photographed. The frame has general age-related wear, losses and surface marks, in keeping with its age.