FA000291 – Palace Pier, Brighton, Julia Morley, 1947

Part of the One Minute Wonders trail, a story written by one of our volunteers, inspired by objects on display.

By Mark Benson

is a view of Brighton Palace Pier with the backdrop of the seafront and visitors dotted alongside it.

The Palace Pier was opened in 1899. This painting was painted by Julia Morley in 1947. How has the pier changed over the past 76 years, do you think?

Just like today we see throngs of people, pacing up and down with the sounds of music, the squawking of seagulls, and the wafting smell of fish and chips.

Over the 7 decades since this was painted the pier still stands. This is not the case for the West Pier, that now lies in ruins further along the coast.

Take a stroll along the Palace Pier. See what has changed since this was painted? What do you experience as visitor?