Artwork
Rocky Cliffs at Howth, County Dublin
Rocky Cliffs at Howth, County Dublin is an unspecified painting by the Realist artist William Howis senior. It dates from 1863 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1863 by Irish painter William Howis senior, this oil work portrays the coastal cliffs of Howth in County Dublin. The canvas is part of the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection, where it is displayed among other 19th‑century landscape pieces.
Subject & Meaning
The scene presents a stark shoreline where brown‑gray rock faces rise sharply from the sea, capped with sparse vegetation. A dark mass in the lower foreground suggests a cave or the deepening shade of the cliff base, while a brooding, cloud‑filled sky looms overhead, emphasizing the rugged, untamed character of the locale.
Technique & Style
Howis employs a restrained palette of earth tones, contrasting the muted sky with the textured stone surfaces. Subtle gradations of light and shadow create a sense of depth, recalling chiaroscuro principles, while the brushwork varies between smooth washes for the sky and more impasto handling on the cliffs, enhancing their tactile quality.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the painting has remained in Ireland, eventually entering the National Gallery of Ireland’s holdings. The work reflects the mid‑19th‑century interest in Irish topography, and its acquisition by the gallery underscores the institution’s commitment to preserving domestic landscape art from that period.
Artist & collection
