Edward J. Brennan (fl.1878-1884)

Sunset through Trees

Oil on canvas, 36 x 54cm (14¼ x 21¼'')

Signed and dated (18)'84; also signed and dated verso

 

Recorded in W.G. Strickland's Dictionary...

Edward J. Brennan (fl.1878-1884)

Sunset through Trees

Oil on canvas, 36 x 54cm (14¼ x 21¼'')

Signed and dated (18)'84; also signed and dated verso

 

Recorded in W.G. Strickland's Dictionary of Irish Artists, Edward J. Brennan was born in Kilkenny, the son of a tailor. He followed his father into that trade and worked as a cutter in a tailor's shop in Dawson Street, Dublin. Showingpromise as an artist, he resolved to become a painter. He studied in Paris and by 1878 was exhibiting at the RoyalHibernian Academy from an address in Harcourt Street in Dublin. He exhibited a total of thirty five works at the RHAup to 1884, the year the present work was painted.

 

As a predominantly landscape painter, he won the second Taylor Art Scholarship in 1879 and in 1882 was awardedthe RHA's Albert Scholarship. He must have worked in and around London in the early 80s as a number of his exhibitedworks have titles referencing the Thames, Hampstead Heath and Burnham.

 

Strickland notes however that after 1884 he went to London, and then to the continent, where he died from the effects of intemperance.

 

 

 

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