Augustus Burke RHA (1838-1891)

The Irish landscape and rural artist Augustus Burke was born into the Burkes of Glinsk, an ancient and distinguished Galway family who were descendants of William the Conqueror. He was the sixth son of William Burke of Knocknagur. One of his brothers was Theobald Hubert Burke, 13th Baronet of Glinsk; another was Thomas Henry Burke, Head of the Irish Office in the British Civil Service.

Augustus Nicholas Burke showed an early interest in sketching and most of his first drawings were inspired by local rural scenes. Indeed, his love of the people and landscape of Connemara, would influence his painting for the duration of his life. He began his artistic career in London by studying at the Royal Acad...