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The Spurs of Arenig by James Dickson Innes
The Spurs of Arenig
The Spurs of Arenig by James Dickson Innes
The Spurs of Arenig by James Dickson Innes

The Spurs of Arenig

Artist (Llanelly, Wales, 1887 - 1914)
Date1912
Mediumoil on panel
ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings
DimensionsOverall: Height: 24.2 cm, Width: 34 cm
Frame: Height: 36.4 cm, Width: 45.2 cm
AcquisitionPurchased in 1958 with income from the Murray Fund.
CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG002475
About MeThe Mountain of Arenig Fawr, in southern Snowdonia, north Wales on the top of which he buried a casket of letters from his lover Euphemia Lamb, was a great inspiration to Innes and became one of the principal subjects of his work. He first painted it in 1910 and thereafter made annual excursions until his prematue death in 1914.

Innes introduced his friend Augustus John to the mountain of Arenig and went on to adopt John's rapid oil technique, painting, like him, on small wooden panels. Innes too painted at speed, using chopped brushstrokes to render foliage, clouds or light reflections on water and his work is characterised by a distinctive use of intense colour. Unlike the work of John, however, people rarely inhabited Innes' landscapes.



More About Me

Arineg Fawr, a mountain in Snowdonia, was a source of continued inspiration to Innes, who buried on its top a casket of his lover's letters.