You have probably seen that set of Dublin architectural paintings by James Malton. Formally known as the Picturesque and Descriptive View of Dublin, they show 25 of the capitals top buildings in the late 18th century.
One normally looks at a couple of these scenes, on a dark stairwell, and thinks yeah – great, get the picture. It’s too demanding to take them all in. But if you engage with just one print, you gain plenty. The Four Courts image displays the following: sail boats, row boats and rafts on the river Liffey. Non-walled quays on the right. No quays on the left – just the backside of buildings dropping to a muddy river bed. I remember that Summer in Dublin.
Malton had an eye for more than an architrave – the paintings show paupers, soldiers, lamplighters, drape. As well as this colour, the images are full of surprises, such as haystacks where the Guinness brewery now stands. But again, it’s oppressive if you have 25 such pics to digest.
So, I advise as follows: if you own a set of the pics, give away all but one. A full set will achieve more moo at an art auction but it’s not (all) about the money. You will find 24 people with some connection to a particular scene. This way, they can be celebrated individually and you will have more wall space.
One normally looks at a couple of these scenes, on a dark stairwell, and thinks yeah – great, get the picture. It’s too demanding to take them all in. But if you engage with just one print, you gain plenty. The Four Courts image displays the following: sail boats, row boats and rafts on the river Liffey. Non-walled quays on the right. No quays on the left – just the backside of buildings dropping to a muddy river bed. I remember that Summer in Dublin.
Malton had an eye for more than an architrave – the paintings show paupers, soldiers, lamplighters, drape. As well as this colour, the images are full of surprises, such as haystacks where the Guinness brewery now stands. But again, it’s oppressive if you have 25 such pics to digest.
So, I advise as follows: if you own a set of the pics, give away all but one. A full set will achieve more moo at an art auction but it’s not (all) about the money. You will find 24 people with some connection to a particular scene. This way, they can be celebrated individually and you will have more wall space.
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