Artwork

Glen Druid, Ireland

Glen Druid, Ireland, by Edward Cooke, 1850
Glen Druid, Ireland, by Edward Cooke, 1850

Glen Druid, Ireland is a drawing by Edward Cooke. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Edward Cooke’s pencil drawing, dated 11 October 1850, depicts the Glen Druid valley in Ireland. Rendered in a restrained, monochromatic palette, the work presents a quiet natural scene that emphasizes the subtle interplay of light and shadow across the landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a gently rolling valley where modest vegetation, bushes and grasses, occupies the foreground, leading the eye toward a solitary rock formation that rises in the distance. The sparse arrangement of trees and the expansive sky convey a sense of calm and isolation within the Irish countryside.

Technique & Style

Executed entirely in graphite, Cooke employs fine, cross‑hatched lines to model form and texture, while broader strokes suggest the mass of the rock outcrop. The muted tonal range creates atmospheric depth, a hallmark of mid‑nineteenth‑century British‑Irish topographical drawing.

History & Provenance

Created during a period when artists frequently documented remote locales for scientific and travel publications, the drawing bears a precise date, indicating its likely use as a field study. Its provenance traces back to Cooke’s personal sketchbooks before entering a private collection, where it remains accessible for scholarly reference.

Loch Katrine
Loch Katrine, Edward Cooke

Artist & collection

Portrait of Edward Cooke

Artist

Edward Cooke

This British artist spent decades drawing Scotland’s skylines and shores in pencil and ink.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Glen Druid, Ireland?

Glen Druid, Ireland was painted by Edward Cooke in 1850.

Where can I see Glen Druid, Ireland?

Glen Druid, Ireland is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Can I buy a print of Glen Druid, Ireland?

Museum-quality prints of Glen Druid, Ireland are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.