The National Library of Ireland is currently showing a small but fascinating selection of its collection of drawings, watercolours and prints by members of the Brocas family. This prolific and hard-working clan, which produced six artists over two generations, was based in Dublin in the late 18th and 19th century, and the pictures on display indicate just how versatile many artists had to be in order to make a living. Born circa 1762, Henry Brocas senior was appointed master of the (Royal) Dublin Society's school of landscape and ornamental drawing in 1800; almost 40 years later he was succeeded in this position by one of his sons, Henry junior.
As a result, Brocas pere et fils were responsible for the teaching of many important artists in Dublin during more than half a century. Their list of pupils included George Petrie, Francis Danby and Sir Frederick William Burton. The Brocases offered students not just examples of their own work, but also items from the society's own collection of old master drawings, a few of which are on show as part of the National Library's exhibition. The RDS's entire holdings in this area was passed on to the library in 1877; among the enormous number of items transferred at that time were 2,571 examples of Brocas work.
Obviously, only a small number of these is on show, but a colour-illustrated catalogue (£14.99 in the UK) written by Patricia Butler gives further evidence of the artists' versatility. None of the family was averse to turning his hand to whatever job was requested. Thus, there are not just topographical views, street scenes and portraits from the hand of the Brocases, but also printed business cards, exhibition catalogues and even an advertisement for iron-ware products.
Fascinating as these are, the main interest lies in such areas as a set of views of Dublin; 12 watercolours of the capital were painted by Samuel Frederick Brocas and subsequently engraved by his younger brother, Henry junior, between 1818 and 1829. The natural successors to Malton's prints, they show how little the main thoroughfares and principal buildings of Dublin have changed in the intervening period. One delightful drawing shows the forecourt of Leinster House through to Molesworth Street. Some buildings are sadly lost, such as the mid-18th century Moira House, which was once used as a Mendicity Institute.
As landscape artists, the Brocases were highly competent, if rather unimaginative, watercolourists. More interesting is the handful of caricatures included in the library's display. Some of these owe an obvious debt to Gillray but have a definite local interest, as do William Brocas's pencil studies of contemporary dress. And given that this year is the bicentenary of the 1798 Rising, the pictures relating to this are worth examining. Among them is an etching of the Battle of Vinegar Hill made by Henry Brocas senior after a drawing by Lieutenant T. Carey of the 17th Light Dragoons.
Employed by the government, Henry senior also produced a portrait of Robert Emmet and an image of the latter speaking at his trial. The exhibition runs until the end of March.
The National Library will be holding an exhibition specifically devoted to 1798. As part of this event, the library is to publish a CD-Rom in March called Fellowship of Freedom, which is based on the lead-up to and the events of 1798.
The Battle of Vinegar Hill (1798). The etching was made by Henry Brocas senior from a drawing by Lieut T.Carey of the 17th Light Dragoons. RIGHT: A view of Westmoreland and D'Olier Streets from Carlisle Bridge in Dublin. The watercolour was painted in the 1820s by Samuel Frederick Brocas and subsequently etched by his younger brother, Henry junior
