Title: ‘Arthur Edward Guinness, Lord Ardilaun 1840-1915.’ Dated 1864.
Ardilaun is seated on a red chair and is depicted looking off to the viewer’s right. Dressed in a black coat with brown trousers, Ardilaun wears a navy cravat with a white feather-like pattern. His right hand is un-gloved and he rests his head against it as he leans on the back of the chair. His left hand wears a grey glove. It rests on his lap and holds a second grey glove.
Artist: F. Sargent (1837- 1899) was born in London. He initially painted small water-colour portraits before later painting large portraits in oils.
Oil on Canvas
c. 29 x 24 cm
Framed: 53 x 46 cm
A marble statue of Lord Ardilaun is also located here in the Main Hall, beside the door into the Drawing Room. Lord Ardilaun purchased Muckross House and its Estate in November 1899. He was related by marriage to the Herbert family of Muckross.
Ardilaun’s wife Olivia was a daughter of Jane, Countess of Bantry. Jane was the youngest sister of Colonel Henry Arthur Herbert, the man responsible for building the present Muckross House.
The Ardilauns spent very little time at Muckross and it was let out on an annual basis as a shooting and fishing lodge. In 1911 Lord Ardilaun sold Muckross House and its Estate to the wealthy American William Bowers Bourn.