Richard Henry Nibbs (1816–1893) was an English painter and book illustrator who specialised in marine art.
Nibbs was born in Brighton, Sussex (now East Sussex), England and educated at a school in Worthing (run by the father of watercolourist Henry Tidey). He lived in Brighton throughout his life.Residing at 8 Howard Place, then 7 Buckingham Place from 1873 (according to the "Encyclopaedia of Brighton" by Tim Carder - 1990). Nibbs initially trained as a musician and became a professional cellist with the Theatre Royal orchestra. However, a lifelong love of art combined with a natural talent for detailed observation led him to become a self-taught painter - in both oils and watercolour - particularly of marine subjects. In 1840 a substantial inheritance allowed him to devote himself full-time to art.
His marine art depicts scenes mainly off the coast of his native Sussex, France and Holland - though he also drew buildings and landscapes. He exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy, the British Institution and the Royal Society of British Artists.
Selected works
Paintings:
Low Water: Newhaven Harbour, Sussex . HMS Vengeance at Spithead (1851). Queen Victoria landing at the Chain Pier, Brighton (1843). Brighton promenade, 1850. Shipping on the Thames. Shoreham. Philadelphia Harbour.
Illustrated books:
Lower, Mark Anthony. The Churches of Sussex: With Historical and Archaeological Descriptions (1872) Nibbs, R. H. Antiquities of Sussex (1872)
References
External links
Paintings by R. H. Nibbs (www.1st-art-gallery.com) Illustrations by Nibbs (Ash Rare books) R H Nibbs (Biog) Profiles of notable Nibbs (Roots Web) R H Nibbs catalogue (Brighton & Hove museums)