Jerpoint Abbey

This is a lovely old engraving of titled "Jerpoint Abbey." The print dates from 1841and is in excellent condition. It shows a dramatic scene of monastic ruins - "a bare ruined choir, where late the sweet birds sang." This was engraved by C. Cousen from an original drawing by William Bartlett. This print has been cleaned and is free of age toning and foxing spots. The engraved area measures approx. 7 by 5 in, and the overall size is approx. 10.50 by 8 inches, with a generous white margin. This is not a modern reproduction or reprint. This is a vintage steel engraving gauranteed to be as described.

Price $28   Item #3191

SOLD

William Bartlett was born in Kentish Town, London on 1809. The young Bartlett was apprenticed to John Britton ( 1771-1857).He became one of the foremost illustrators of topography of his generation, travelling not just throughout Britain, but to the Americas in 1839/42. In the 1840's he travelled extensively in the Balkans and Middle East. He died of fever on boad ship returning from his last trip to Israel in 1854. His works are today highly prized for their beauty, accuracy, and superb composition.

Jerpoint Abbey was built around 1160 by the King of Ossory, Donal MacGillapatrick, for the Benedictine monks. In 1180 it was taken over by Cistercian monks from Baltinglass Abbey. The Cistercian order was founded in 1098 in Citeaux. In 1228 there were 36 monks and 50 brothers in the abbey. The monastery was self-contained, and included its own gardens, watermills, infirmary, cemetery, kitchens, granary, stables and other outbuildings.At the time of the dissolution of the monasteries in 1540 the abbey was granted on lease to James, the Earl of Ormond by the English crown. The lease included some 6,000 hectares of land belonging to the Abbey, watermills, cottages, weirs, fisheries and a castle.