Milford House in County Armagh was once the most technologically advanced house in 19th century Ireland - the first in the country to be lit with hydroelectricity. Milford House is, insterestingly, most famous for being the home of William McCrum, the inventor of the penalty kick.
The house itself was the creation of Robert Garmany McCrum, who was a self-made industrialist, benefactor and inventor who revolutionised the linen industry. Milford House is a fascinating building that also houses a fascinating art collection, including contemporary 19th Century paintings and Old Masters.
Here are a selection of highlights from the collection.
.
The Black Mountain, Belfast
Frank Eggington (1908-1990)
Frank Egginton was a British contemporary landscape painter from Cheshire, who painted many Irish landscapes following a trip there in 1930.
Milford House was home to Manor House School from 1936 to 1965, where Egginton's daughter Moira was a pupil. During her time at the school watercolours by her father hung in the dining room.
.
On the Colne
Robert Winchester Fraser (1848–1906)
During his lifetime, Robert Winchester Fraser was the best known of the artist members of his family.
Fraser exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1876 and 1892, as well as at the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours and the Royal Scottish Academy.
.
Boy with Fruit
Antonio Amorosi (1660–1738)
Amorosi was an Italian painter of the late-Baroque period, famous for his genre scenes.
This portrait is one of two paintings by Amorosi in the Milford House collection which were transferred from the Royal Scottish Academy in 2014,
.
Hercules and the Stymphalian Bird
Joseph Uphues (1850–1911)
Joseph Johann Ludwig Uphue was a German sculptor. He studied under R. Begas at the Berlin Academy and sculpted many monuments in Berlin and other German cities.
This high quality cast bronze is one of two Upheus in the Milford House collection.
Joseph Uphues (1850–1911)
Bronze
H 61 x W 25.4 cm
Milford House
.
Killen
Harold ('Harry') Sutton Palmer (1854–1933)
Sutton Palmer was a watercolour landscape painter born in Plymouth, Devon. He is best known for his idyllic, rustic landscapes of the British countryside.
Harold ('Harry') Sutton Palmer (1854–1933)
Watercolour
H 35 x W 52 cm
Milford House
These are just a few examples of works in the Milford House collection. Explore more on our Art UK page or get in touch directly to arrange a guided tour.
https://artuk.org/visit/venues/milford-house-7928
https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/milford-house-p700871
