James Malton
, English, 1761-1803
Title
Custom House, DublinDate1792
MediumAquatint and etching
Dimensions
Sheet: 36.5 x 52 cm
Plate: 31.5 x 43.3 cm
Credit LineAcquired, by 1904
Object numberNGI.11569
DescriptionJames Malton is today best known for his 25 aquatint 'Picturesque and Descriptive Views of the City of Dublin' which were first issued in sets of six between 1792 and 1799. In the announcement of the series, Malton, who was English, wrote that he was "struck with admiration at the beauty the capital of Ireland and was anxious to make a display of it to the world". Although this was not the first set of views of Dublin, Malton's was the most popular and was reissued and copied several times. They show an idealised view, omitting the crowds and dirt typical of a late 18th-century city.Most of Malton's depictions of Dublin's architecture were very accurate, but since the late 18th century a number of the city's landmarks have been restored and architectural details changed. The Custom House was designed by James Gandon, the architect of a number of the city's most important buildings such as the Four Courts and the old Parliament House, which were also illustrated by Malton.
(National Gallery of Ireland: Essential Guide, 2008)