George Victor Du Noyer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Victor Du Noyer
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| Born |
George Victor Du Noyer
1817 Dublin, Ireland
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| Died | 3 January 1869 (aged 51–52) County Antrim, Ireland
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| Nationality | Irish (Ireland) |
| Known for | Painting |
George Victor Du Noyer (1817 – 3 January 1869) was an Irish artist, geologist (someone who studies rocks and the Earth), and antiquary (someone who studies old things and history). He came from a family called Huguenots, who were French Protestants. George Du Noyer loved to paint with watercolour, but he also made many sketches using pencils and other materials. He was a very talented and busy artist.
Most of his artwork shows places and things in Ireland. He was often asked to draw or paint realistic pictures of different locations across Ireland. This makes many of his works important for understanding Irish history. A lot of this work happened when he was part of the Irish Ordnance Survey and especially the Geological Survey of Ireland.
Contents
About George Du Noyer
His Early Life and Family
George Victor Du Noyer was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1817. His parents were Louis Victor Du Noyer and Margaret Du Bédat. Both of his parents were from Huguenot families. His father, Louis Victor, taught French in Dublin.
On 4 January 1858, George Du Noyer married Frances Adélaide Du Bédat. They had five children together: William Victor, Fanny, Charlotte Eugéne, and twins Henry Westropp and Joseph Du Bédat. The family lived in Blackrock, a town in County Dublin, for many years.
Sadly, George Victor Du Noyer died on 3 January 1869, from scarlet fever. He was working in County Antrim at the time. His daughter Fanny had also died from the same illness just one day before him. Du Noyer was buried in County Antrim.
Even though he had homes in Dublin, George Du Noyer often had to travel for long periods because of his work.
His Important Work
In 1834, George Du Noyer started working for the Irish Ordnance Survey. This was a time when Ireland was being mapped for the very first time. He worked there for several years.
Later, in 1848, he joined the Geological Survey of Ireland as an Assistant Geologist. This survey studies the rocks and land of Ireland. By 1867, Du Noyer became the first District Surveyor for the Geological Survey of Ireland. He then moved to Carrigfergus in County Antrim.
What He Drew and Painted
Du Noyer created art about many different things. He drew plants, animals, fish, and fossils (ancient remains of living things). He also painted about geology, maps, landscapes, people, country houses, and old buildings.
One of his most famous works is a watercolour painting called Killiney Head looking towards Bray, County Wicklow, 1866. This painting shows a beautiful landscape. If you compare it to that area of County Dublin today, you can see a big change. What was a quiet countryside in Du Noyer's time is now part of the busy city of Dublin.
Where to See His Art Today
Most of George Du Noyer's best artwork is kept in important collections. These include the Geological Survey of Ireland, the Royal Irish Academy, the National Museum of Ireland, the National Botanic Gardens, and the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. Some of his work is also in private collections. You can even see and buy prints of his famous geological sketches at the offices of the Geological Survey of Ireland.
Du Noyer was a member of the Royal Irish Academy. He also belonged to several other groups that were interested in art, geology, and history.
