Painting Dublin, 1886-1949: Visualising A Changing City

From the middle of the nineteenth century, attitudes towards the city and urban identity in Ireland were shaped by the promotion of rural life as the marker of Irishness. This was set against the view of cities, and Dublin in particular, as being colonial, industrial, or commercial environments. Moving beyond such a simplistic perspective, this book represents the first detailed study of the depiction of Dublin in nineteenth- and twentieth-century art. It demonstrates the important role played by the portrayal and experience of urban life a role shaped by historical, political, and social change. Focusing on the work of Walter Osborne, Rose Barton, Jack Butler Yeats, Harry Kernoff, Estella Solomons, and Flora H, the book proceeds through close readings of the artworks themselves, combined with archival and primary source research. It also takes care to contextualise the artists visions in relation to other visual and literary sources such as photography, film, literature, and poetry. Painting Dublin is aimed at students and scholars working on art history, Irish urban and social history, and Irish studies. It will also appeal to general readers interested in art history and Irish history.