A Bird’s Eye View of Dublin
A Bird’s Eye View of Dublin
So last night I put one of my Christmas presents up on the wall. It is a copy of an amazingly detailed drawing of Victorian Dublin, dating from 1890.
“A Bird’s Eye View of Dublin” was a present from my “Secret Santa” (as is now the tradition among the six Cullen siblings) and the Geographer in our family, Declan.
Amazingly, this panoramic of Dublin was issued as a supplement to “The Graphic” newspaper 123 years ago. Kind of puts the countless churned-out supplements you’ll get in the Sunday newspaper today into perspective, eh?
This drawing is by H.W. Brewer, who (according to the information I have found on Old Irish Maps, where they are selling an original copy of this map) was named by RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) as the finest of all Victorian architectural draughtsmen.
Unsurprisingly, Mr Brewer was also a perfectionist. There is incredible clarity and detail in “A Bird’s Eye View of Dublin”, which the image above does not do justice to. Especially as it was taken late last night under artificial light - Mr Brewer would not have approved!
As pointed out on Old Irish Maps, this is “an incredibly detailed original topographic panorama, church spires and street-scapes are shown with exacting precision. To look at the scene in High Street, as the eye is drawn from St. Audoen’s to Christchurch is akin to stepping back in time, with the minute detail of each house, window, door etc. delicately rendered”.
I’m writing this post from just in behind the Four Courts, the impressive building dominating this small section of the overall map, which, as well as the Four Courts, shows The Liberties, High Street and Christchurch in the foreground, and stretches out to include the Liffey as it flows into Dublin Bay, with Howth and Killiney also clearly visible in the background.
How Mr Brewer achieved this fantastical view of Dublin before the age of helicopters and aerial photography has apparently been a matter of some conjecture since it was first produced.
According to Old Irish Maps, “that he invented it all using ground-level sketches and a bit of imagination is highly probable. And indeed would be a correct assumption, except for the fact that five years before this Dublin panorama was completed he produced a “Bird’s Eye View of Liverpool - As seen from a Balloon“, (1885). We guess it will remain a mystery!”
Oh and, on a final note, I have to say, Declan set the bar pretty high this year, as I also got this amazing book!
Posted on January 6, 2013, in Architecture, Art, Dublin, Environment, Family, Ireland and tagged Dublin maps, H.W. Brewer, Old Irish Maps, The Graphic Newspaper, Victorian Dublin. Bookmark the permalink. 44 Comments.
Interesting, I am getting influence by the power of History,thanks for sharing!Cheers!
You’re most welcome, glad you like it
Hello Conor, I have nominated you on “Beautiful blogger Award” please visit http://pleisbilongtumi.wordpress.com/2013/01/06/beautiful-blogger-award. Congrats !
Thanks so much
And well done!
You are wlcome Conor. happy blogging
So did I, great work. The way you see colors, WOW!
Thanks very much! I really appreciate that. Captured some nice colours at t he beacj last night, hopefuly I’ll get them up on here later on!
Reblogged this on Simon Sundaraj-Keun.
Amazing. I loved it, Conor
Glad to hear it! It’s a nice addition to my wall
incredible work, such precision.
Ya, it’s amazing really. You’d be impressed to see it done now, never mind 1890!
Amazing detail. With all the technology we have at our fingertips I’m not sure that anyone in todays world would attempt such a complex drawing. What great presents!
It would be nice to see the updated version though! Ya, they were great presents. He knows me alright!
Terrific looks at this map and very interesting commentary.
Glad you liked it Phil!
If you have t already read Edward Sutherland Ireland and Dublin, you should.
I haven’t, thanks, I’ll look it up!
What wonderful gifts – both very “you.” The detail is amazing for the time and the Potrait book looks like it’s one to give you ideas for your own portrait photos.
Exactly! Need to get practising on portraits soon… once I find some victims
Truly amazing sketches, mores when enlarged. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome Warren, glad you like it.
Beautiful and thoughtful gift!
Both of them… I’m a bit envious. (:
Ha! Thanks Melissa. I’m sure you did okay
I have nominated you for a ‘Very Inspiring Blog Award’ see http://jahnosecret.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/very-inspiring-blogger-award/ if you wish to participate. Peace.
A really interesting read and enjoyed, too, looking at the drawings – great post! I know nothing about Dublin except I have met so many Dubliners in my work in tourism in Sydney that I feel I know much of the culture from my encounters! Great presents to receive!!
Thanks Keith! I imagine you’ve learned a lot about us over there, I think half of Ireland is now lviing in Australia – or planning to! I’m going to content myself with a holiday! Hopefully this year.
I love maps at the best of times but this is spectacular and utterly fascinating. What a great present ( and the portraits book!).
Ya, it is a great present. The map is amazing.
It’s a pity so much of Victorian Dublin has disappeared. Great to see some of it in this drawing… stunning Christmas gift so
)
Glad you enjoyed seeing it Billie
What a great present…
It sure is!
Hello- Just wanted to stop by & let you know that I nominated you for “Blog of the Year 2012!” http://fictionalmachines.com/2013/01/14/blog-of-the-year-2012-five/ Keep up the great work!
Thank you very much Mr Lattimer! And congratulations on your many, many well-deserved awards! Keep up the brilliant blogging.
Thank you very much for the kind words, Conor! And you are very welcome- Keep up the brilliant blogging over there as well & congrats on all of the success!
Great post! I really love to visit Ireland someday, Dublin and the countryside. For now, I’m contented admiring the beautiful photos you took.
Thanks Mae! I hope you get here someday soon
Yeah, soon would be good.
Fantastic drawings and what a great present.
Cheers Stevie. It does look good up on the wall
Your brother has great taste. I do love a good axonometric map;) You did well!
Ha! He does have good taste alright