James Malton, English, 1761-1803
Title: Lord Charlemont's Casino at Marino, Dublin, from the West
Date: 1795
Medium: Ink, graphite and watercolour on paper
Dimensions:
31.2 x 39.8 cm
Signed: On verso: **finished March 1795 by James Malton**
Credit Line: Purchased, 1912
Object Number: NGI.2687
DescriptionThis gem of neo-classical architecture was built around 1760. The renowned English architect, Sir William Chambers (1723-1796), designed it as a garden ornament for James Caulfeild (1728-99), the first Earl of Charlemont. Charlemont spent many years in Italy on his 'Grand Tour', and wished to re-create an Italian Arcadia in the grounds of his estate. The design is based on Palladio's Villa Rotunda at Vicenza in Northern Italy. The Casino is a deceptive structure, appearing purely decorative from the outside, yet containing twelve rooms on three levels. The façade features elaborately carved decoration - funerary urns surmounting the attic storey cleverly disguise chimney pots. Located off the Malahide Road, it was restored in the 1980s and is now open to the public.
Inscriptionon verso (in ink): View of the Casino at Marino, near Dublin belonging to Earl Charlemont/ finished March 1795 by James Malton./Architects S W Chambers