Erskine Nicol
, Scottish, 1825-1904
Title
The Seafront at Bray, County WicklowMediumGraphite and watercolour with white highlights on paper
Dimensions
48.2 x 64.3 cm
Signedlower left: EN(mono, E inverted)icol. R.S.A./62
Credit LinePurchased, 1973
Object numberNGI.7587
DescriptionScottish born Erskine Nicol was a frequent visitor to Ireland, paying annual visits until his death in 1904. He was best known for his comic scenes of Irish peasant life. The coastal town of Bray, around 12 miles south of Dublin, is situated on the river Bray. Much of the town was developed by the railway engineer William Dargan, whose involvement in the 1853 Great Exhibition in Dublin led to the foundation of the National Gallery of Ireland in 1854. This watercolour depicts the bourgeoisie at their leisure. The artist has painted this scene from one of the bay windows of the newly built, grand terraced houses which command good views of the seafront. The Martello tower depicted no longer exists.