Nathaniel Grogan

Nathaniel Grogan (the Elder) (1740–1807) was an Irish painter from Cork, and one of the most important Irish genre painters of the late 18th century.

Life and family Nathaniel Grogan was born around 1740 in Cork. He was originally an apprentice to his father, a turner and block maker, but he had a love for the arts and taught himself to draw. His early works were in chalk on board, as they were the only materials available. He trained in Cork under the local painter John Butts, and was influenced by Dutch painters such as Hobbema and Heemskerck. He was strongly discouraged from pursuing art by his father, which led to him eventually leaving home.

Once established as an artist in Cork, Grogan lived on the south side of the Mardyke in a small house. He died there in 1807, and is buried at the church of Saint Finnbarr. with Anne Crookshank and the Knight of Glin stating that Grogan's genre paintings were "the most important paintings of Irish peasant life of the period in existence".

He exhibited 4 landscapes with the Free Society of Artists in London in 1782, which led him to spend some time in London. He also etched some bookplates. Some paintings attributed to Grogan the elder have been reevaluated in the 21st century as possibly by his son, Nathaniel, who is considered to be a better figure painter than his father.

Grogan's Whipping the Herring out of Town – A Scene of Cork was selected as number 47 in the Cork in 50 Artworks series by the Irish Examiner.

Selected works

The Bantry Bard The Itinerant Preacher The Cronies The Wake The Quoit Players Irish Fair