THIS IS THE BLOG OF COLIN JONES, RHYL TOWN COUNCILLOR: BODFOR WARD
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The opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own and not the views of the town council.
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In Rhyl the number of visitors increased dramatically when the Chester to Holyhead railway arrived in the 1840s. Somewhere in the new crowds was English artist David Cox who painted the picture above, Rhyl Sands, circa 1854-56.
In the background of the work you can see a steam ship known as a 'packet' and some bathing machines which were changing-rooms on wheels – they could be towed to the edge of the water by horses for convenience and privacy of bathers.
This water-colour on paper is a good example of the way Mr. Cox looked at things. Note how low down the horizon is – big sky, little people.
Mr. Cox painted more scenes on our beach and helped Rhyl to become more widely known in London where he exhibited regularly. You can read about him on Wikipedia:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Cox_(artist)
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