122
Francis Johnston RHA (1760-1829)
Estimate:
€3,000 - €5,000
Sold
€2,800
Live Auction
Irish & International Art
Size
7.50 by 13.50in. (19.1 by 34.3cm)
Description
Title: FRONT ELEVATION OF THE PROPOSED GENERAL POST OFFICE, DUBLIN, 1814
Note: Francis Johnston was born in Armagh, son of William Johnston, also an architect. He followed his father and studied architecture. He practised in Armagh, and then lived in Drogheda from 1786 before moving to Dublin about 1793. In 1805 he was appointed to the Board of Works as an architect. In 1824 he was made president of the Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts which had been founded the previous year, and he provided headquarters for the Academy in Lower Abbey Street at his own expense. The Abbey Street premises were destroyed in the 1916 Rising as was the GPO.At a time of huge rebuilding in Georgian Dublin, Johnston was one of the architects responsible for Sackville Street (now O'Connell Street). Nelson's Pillar and the Post Office were designed to harmonise with each other.This watercolour shows Johnston's proposal for the front elevation of his most famous building, which was to become a national icon. The neo-classical three storey façade is executed in granite and Portland stone. The long fifteen bay front is divided into three parts by a hexastyle portico of fluted Greek Iconic columns in the centre which projects out over the pavement. The pediment is decorated with the arms of Great Britain and Ireland.The main differences shown in this view of the GPO are that the name of the building appears in the frieze and that the position of the GPO differs, as this proposal was to build across the width of Sackville Street, with houses being seen on either side.The façade was heavily restored, before the 1916 Rising and almost completely rebuilt in the 1920s, but it is still recognisible as Johnston's original design. However, there are important differences. The original arrangement of the central round headed windows and openings may be seen in the design. The view shows the original arrangement of the doorways before they were altered in the rebuilding of the 1920s. The central opening under the portico with a wrought iron gate may be seen. The drawing does not include Edward Smyth's statues of Hibernia, Mercury and Fidelity which stood on the pediment.
Note: Francis Johnston was born in Armagh, son of William Johnston, also an architect. He followed his father and studied architecture. He practised in Armagh, and then lived in Drogheda from 1786 before moving to Dublin about 1793. In 1805 he was appointed to the Board of Works as an architect. In 1824 he was made president of the Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts which had been founded the previous year, and he provided headquarters for the Academy in Lower Abbey Street at his own expense. The Abbey Street premises were destroyed in the 1916 Rising as was the GPO.At a time of huge rebuilding in Georgian Dublin, Johnston was one of the architects responsible for Sackville Street (now O'Connell Street). Nelson's Pillar and the Post Office were designed to harmonise with each other.This watercolour shows Johnston's proposal for the front elevation of his most famous building, which was to become a national icon. The neo-classical three storey façade is executed in granite and Portland stone. The long fifteen bay front is divided into three parts by a hexastyle portico of fluted Greek Iconic columns in the centre which projects out over the pavement. The pediment is decorated with the arms of Great Britain and Ireland.The main differences shown in this view of the GPO are that the name of the building appears in the frieze and that the position of the GPO differs, as this proposal was to build across the width of Sackville Street, with houses being seen on either side.The façade was heavily restored, before the 1916 Rising and almost completely rebuilt in the 1920s, but it is still recognisible as Johnston's original design. However, there are important differences. The original arrangement of the central round headed windows and openings may be seen in the design. The view shows the original arrangement of the doorways before they were altered in the rebuilding of the 1920s. The central opening under the portico with a wrought iron gate may be seen. The drawing does not include Edward Smyth's statues of Hibernia, Mercury and Fidelity which stood on the pediment.
Medium
watercolour
Signature
signed in pencil on the mount
Provenance
Collection of Dr. George A. Little, President of the Old Dublin Society;BY whom gifted to P. J. Little, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, 1943Private collection
