Henry Brocas

Who was Henry Brocas?

Henry Brocas, born in Dublin in 1762, was well known as a landscape painter and as a drawing-master in the Dublin schools. A self-taught artist, he worked in watercolour and oils, and was also a prolific engraver: his portraits appeared in various Dublin magazines, and some of his etchings were published separately. In 1801 he was appointed Master of the Landscape and Ornament School of the Royal Dublin Society, a position he held until his death. In the early 19th century he drew political cartoons for Walter Cox's Irish Magazine, depicting British atrocities during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. He died in Dublin on 23 October 1837. Four of his sons, James Henry, Samuel Frederick, William and Henry, were also artists.