Samuel Frederick Brocas (c. 1792 – 14 May 1847) was an Irish artist best known for his series depicting Dublin known as the Select views of Dublin.
Early life Samuel Frederick Brocas was born in Dublin around 1792. He was the second of the four sons of the painter Henry Brocas. From 1803 to 1807, Brocas studied under his father at the Dublin Society Schools. During this time, he won medals for flower painting in 1801, etching in 1802 and figure drawing in 1807. He was best known for his topographical views and landscapes in oils and watercolours, working mostly in Dublin, and in Limerick at times.
Career Brocas was exhibited in Dublin in 1804, 1809 and 1812. The Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) exhibited his landscapes for the first time in 1828, with pieces depicting the north of Wales, and he continued to exhibit with the RHA until 1847. His best-known set of works is his 12 views of Dublin city from 1817. These were engraved by his brother Henry, and printed by J. Le Petit of Dublin between 1818 and 1829, entitled Select views of Dublin. They were planned to be part of a book, Book of views of Ireland, but this was never published. From his address, 15 Henry Street, Dublin, where Brocas lived with his father, he published the folio lithograph he produced, King John's Castle Limerick, in 1826. A view of Trinity College and the east portico of the Bank of Ireland is another of the lithographs he produced and published in Dublin. He was also a member of the Society of Artists.
He died at his home, 120 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, on 14 May 1847. The National Gallery of Ireland holds a number of works by him, including two watercolours depicting views of Dublin. The V&A Museum and the British Museum each hold two paintings by him.
Select views of Dublin +OrderIllustrationTitleDateNotes1View of the Four Courts, looking down the River Liffey, Dublinc18172View of the Corn Exchange, Burgh Quay, and Custom House, Dublinc18173View from Carlisle Bridge, Dublinc18174View of the Post Office and Nelson's Pillar, Sackville Street, Dublinc18175View of the Lying-in Hospital and Rutland Square, Dublinc18176View of the Castle Gate and Royal Exchange, Dublinc18177View of the Royal Exchange, Dame Street, Dublinc1817Prior to the setting out of Lord Edward Street in the late 19th century.8View of the Bank of Ireland, College Green, Dublinc18179College Green, Dublinc1817Includes a clear view of Daly's Club10View of the Custom House, from the River Liffey, Dublinc181711View of the Castle Chapel, Dublinc181712View of Trinity College from Westmoreland Street, Dublinc1817The Ha'penny Bridge Bridge Dublinc1820Not part of the Select views of Dublin seriesA view of Bray Headc1820Not part of the Select views of Dublin seriesA view of Dublin from the Phoenix Parkc1820Not part of the Select views of Dublin series
See also James Malton
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