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The spirit of Dungeness,
despite being in ruin, is still vibrant; not just because of its
imposing physical structure, but because somehow, it still bespeaks the unique
influence of the preservationist Lucy Carnegie, a member of the
industrialist Carnegie family.
The ruins of
the mansion are striking. Nearby, they also built Plum Orchard a Georgian
revival-style mansion. The family contribution along with funds from
supporting foundations helped win Congressional approval for establishing
the Cumberland Island National Seashore. Eighty percent of the Island is
now owned and managed by the National Park Service though a few, privately
owned tracts remain.
My personal inspiration for executing this painting of Dungeness was
born out of my visit to the mansion. Being there surrounded by the ruins,
the wildlife, the secluded island atmosphere; imaging what life must have
been like here over a century ago was a heady experience for me. This home
and the people who built it played an important and critical role in the
growth and maturation of the United States.
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