CAG.2347 Unknown artist, View of Cork Harbour from Rostellan, Inisbeg Island, 1809, oil on canvas, 22.5 x 50.5 cm. Purchased, 2007. 

It’s been so exciting to reopen our doors that we’re a little late with this WORK OF THE WEEK!

Although the artist of this view is unknown, it is thought to be taken from a vantage point on the eastern side of Cork Harbour, near Rostellan, in 1809. The topography, however, appears to be exaggerated for both picturesque and dramatic effect!

Renowned for its scale, Cork Harbour covers an area of approximately 70 square kilometres. Unsurprisingly, it is one of several claimants to the title of second largest natural harbour – by navigable area – in the world, after Port Jackson in Sydney, Australia that is.

Cork Harbour’s long history includes thousands of years of settlement. Previously known as Cuan an Neimheadh (Harbour of Nemed), it was named for the leader of a group of ancient settlers who arrived in Ireland three thousand years ago.

During its long history of human occupation, the harbour was also once a key western defensive and provisioning port of the British Empire, and was retained by the United Kingdom from 1921 until 1938 as one of the ‘Treaty Ports’.

View of Cork Harbour from Rostellan, Inisbeg Island (1809) is featured in our new exhibition, STATIO BENE: Art and Ireland’s Maritime Haven. Open daily and free entry.

Tune in to The Arts House with Elmarie Mawe on Cork’s 96FM and C103FM every Sunday morning as Conor Tallon chats with assistant curator Michael Waldron about each WORK OF THE WEEK! Listen back to this week's chat here:

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