Drawn from the Crawford Gallery's permanent collection, "The Eye of the Artist" gives an insight into how artists represent the world around them. Most of the works are watercolours or drawings, although there are also two photographs by the pioneering photographer Julia Margaret Cameron (1815-1879).

While many of the artists were professionals, who made their living from exhibiting or teaching, some of the most interesting work in "The Eye of the Artist" was done by dedicated amateurs, notably Joseph Stafford Gibson (1837-1919) whose views of Spanish and French landscapes and towns show a very individual approach.

Among the other artists represented are Mainie Jellett (1897-1944), Daniel Maclise (1806-1870), Hercules Brabazon Brabazon (1821-1906), Evie Hone (1894-1955), Margaret Clarke (1888-1961), Nathaniel Grogan (1740-1807) and Kathy Prendergast (b.1958).