Purchased by Robert Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe (1858-1945)

Crewe House, London, Inventory, Vol. 2, 1913, p.107, Lobby;
Manuscript Catalogue of Pictures at West Horsley, n.d., vol. 3, p. 77;
An Inventory […] of Pictures at West Horsley Place, Surrey, The property of the Marquess of Crewe, 1938, p. 21

The canvas has been laid down onto board by the artist. There are signs of blooming on the surface and the work should benefit from cleaning. Ultraviolet light reveals no signs of retouching. Held under glass in a gilt plaster frame with a gilt mount.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

As with At the Market, Galway by Osborne also in the sale, the present work is an important revelation within the artist's career, belonging to a period of works in the mid-1890s when he was exploring life in the West of Ireland. These are predominantly small in scale, employing an increasingly innovative impressionistic technique. The work depicts the road north from Galway with the town seen in the distance; it appears on the market for the first time and has not been seen in public for over a century and reinforces Osborne's influential contribution to the development of modern art in Ireland.  

The connection with Ireland represented by a number of Irish works in the collection, derives from Lord Houghton's political career as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (the British monarch's official representative) in the Liberal administration of 1892-1895. By this time, the position of Lord Lieutenant was largely symbolic, with the Chief Secretary having the central role over the Irish administration. Walter Osborne was commissioned t🌌o paint the official portrait of Lord Hou💎ghton, now in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery.