Mary Balfour Herbert

Mary Balfour Herbert (1817–1893) was a British artist known for her watercolor paintings, particularly scenes from the Lakes of Killarney. She was born in 1817 as Mary Balfour, the daughter of James Balfour, a Member of Parliament, and Lady Eleanor Maitland. Her family was connected to notable figures, being grandparents of Arthur Balfour, the 1st Earl Balfour. She grew up at Whittingehame House in East Lothian, Scotland, and her childhood involved extensive travel.

Although she received drawing lessons during her youth, her formal art education was limited to these lessons, and she did not pursue further formal training. Her travels abroad, notably to Rome, exposed her to artistic environments and facilitated her introduction to Henry Arthur Herbert, whom she met during her time in Italy. They married in September 1837.

Henry Arthur Herbert belonged to a family that owned the Muckross Estate near Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland. Following their marriage, the couple moved to Torc Cottage on the estate. She regarded the estate fondly, as it reminded her of her Scottish upbringing. She brought a significant dowry of £40,000 (equivalent to approximately £4.59 million in 2023). Construction commenced on a large house in 1839 and was completed in 1843, shortly before the onset of the Great Famine.

The marriage produced four children, all born outside Ireland between 1839 and 1846. Their names were Eleanor, Henry Arthur, Charles, and Blanche. During the famine, Mary was actively involved in efforts to raise funds for the local population but resided primarily in England during this period.

In addition to her charitable work, Mary focused on developing her skills as a watercolor artist. She painted numerous scenes of the Lakes of Killarney and gained recognition for her talent, with The Times describing her as the "...most gifted amateur in the kingdom" on 30 August 1861. Her artistic reputation was enhanced when Queen Victoria visited Muckross House with the royal family in 1861 and received several of Mary Herbert's paintings as gifts.

Henry Herbert died in 1866 and was buried in the family vault at Killegy graveyard near Muckross House. Following his death, Mary returned to England with her two daughters. In England, she reconnected with notable figures in the art community, including Edward Burne-Jones, a close associate of William Morris.

After her eldest daughter Eleanor’s marriage in 1871, Mary Herbert relocated to Bellagio, Italy, near Lake Como, where she continued her artistic pursuits. She passed away in London in 1893 and was buried alongside her husband at Killegy graveyard. The Muckross House estate later became a museum, and the estate itself was incorporated into Killarney National Park.

References and further information can be found on the Muckross House website, specifically the Mary Herbert page.