Painting of Trinity College The Public theatre

This is a painting of The Public Theatre, one of the many beautiful buildings on the inner square of Trinity College in the heart of Dublin city. Or rather I should say there are two paintings, one little and one large, or medium sized at least. 

I always love strolling through Trinity’s grounds whenever I get a chance. There’s just something about the sense of history and culture that seems embedded into the bones of the buildings. Something reassuring and timeless.

But the evening that inspired these works a particular time and occasion. It was a little celebratory engagement party for some very close friends held just across the way in one of the other buildings that night. I think it might have been the dining hall. 

Anyway, when I emerged late that night, perhaps a little wine-wobbly on my feet, I spotted a very fine moon shining artfully over a very fine building. I ambled over, captured a few quick pics on my phone, and ambled off into the night.

And that, my friends, became the basis of these paintings of The Public Theatre, you see before you. The one above was the small version I painted first, to test the waters, so to speak. This was on a small 10x12 inch canvas, and the one you see below is on a medium 16x22 inch canvas. 

The difference between the two is of course the added scale and detail in the larger version, but as the painting progressed there was also a niggling feeling that it needed something extra. Something was missing or lacking? And so, after much dithering I looked skyward, and painted in a few ghostly clouds to sail through the night sky. Adding, what I hope, is an extra element of drama and atmosphere to this nocturne painting of what is Ireland’s oldest university, Trinity College. 

I think it works pretty well, but sure you can be the judge of that. 

Thanks for reading as ever, and if you fancy purchasing one of these paintings, or are just curious for more details, just click on the link below to visit my cityscape collection on this very website. 

Paintings of Dublin by Vincent Keeling

Vincent Keeling

12th Sep, 2025