Original Irish Oil by Denis Thornton of Stricklands Glen, Co. Down

Artist: DENIS THORNTON (1937–1999)
Stricklands Glen near Bangor, Co. Down
Original Oil on Canvas – Signed – Belfast Gallery Provenance

Beautiful original oil painting by established Irish landscape painter Denis Thornton (1937–1999), depicting Stricklands Glen near Bangor, County Down.

A particularly attractive and highly detailed example of Thornton’s work, showing figures and a dog walking beside the stream beneath the dense woodland canopy of Stricklands Glen.

Thornton was an Irish Post-War landscape painter, best known for his detailed oil paintings of the Irish countryside, mountains, rivers and coastline. His work has a substantial established secondary market and continues to be regularly handled by Irish auction houses. MutualArt records approximately 240 auction appearances, while Ross’s Belfast maintains an extensive record of his work.

Recent Ross’s results demonstrate the continuing market for his Northern Irish landscapes, including The Mourne Mountains, County Down at £380, Murlough Bay, County Antrim at £320, Portbraddon, County Antrim at £280, Trees by the Lough at £260, and Bridge in Tollymore Forest, County Down at £220.

Thornton’s auction record stands at US$822, achieved for Achill Island, Co. Mayo at Morgan O’Driscoll in 2021.

Excellent provenance

The painting retains its original John Magee Limited, Belfast dealer label on the reverse, which identifies both the artist and subject:

“Stricklands Glen near Bangor, Co. Down – By Denis Thornton”

This is particularly useful provenance as the title and attribution have remained with the painting rather than being reconstructed later.

Interestingly, this exact painting/title has also appeared in the Bangor Auctions archive as “DENIS THORNTON OIL ‘STRICKLANDS GLEN’”, providing an additional documented auction trail.

The painting

This is classic Thornton: richly observed woodland, carefully modelled trees, water, strong perspective and small figures used to give the landscape scale and life.

The light breaking through the trees and reflecting from the stream is particularly effective, while the figures and dog create a narrative element that many of his more straightforward landscapes lack.

The painting is signed “DENIS THORNTON” lower right.

It is an original oil on stretched canvas, not a print or reproduction, and is presented in its substantial period frame, ready to hang.

Artist: Denis Thornton (1937–1999)
Title: Stricklands Glen near Bangor, Co. Down
Medium: Oil on canvas
Signed: Lower right
Provenance: John Magee Limited, 455–457 Ormeau Road, Belfast – original label verso
Subject: Stricklands Glen, Bangor, County Down
Period: 20th century
Condition: Good vintage condition overall. Some age-related wear to the frame consistent with age; please examine photographs carefully.

A very attractive example of Thornton’s work with the added advantages of a named County Down location, original Belfast dealer provenance and documented auction history.

Collection preferred due to the framed size.