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Engraver John Smyth , Irish, c.1773-1840

After Unknown Artist, Ireland, 19th century , Irish

Publisher Illustrated London News

Title

Aerial View of the City of Dublin from the South East

Date1846

MediumWood engraving

Dimensions

Image: 35.6 x 103.7 cm

Sheet: 39.4 x 106.5 cm

Signedlower right (in the image): SMYTH SC

Credit LineAcquired, 1908/1914

Object numberNGI.11878

DescriptionWith a panorama stretching across Dublin from the Royal Hospital to the Grand Canal Harbour and northwards from St Stephen's Green to Phibsborough, this offers a fascinating pictogram-map of the city. It would appear to be taken from a balloon and the detail extends to domestic gardens and rower on the Grand Canal, which is crossed by the newly arrived railway line from Kingstown. At the centre are the extensive grounds of Trinity College and Leinster Lawn before the National Gallery of Ireland was built. Titled 'No. 1 of a series of views of the principal capitals of Europe', this was a bold claim at the onset of the Famine period. It was presented free to subscribers of the Illustrated London News and accompanied by an 8-page historical memoir and detailed key.