/internal/media/dispatcher/5967/fullMMM 004754View of the Perellos Stores from the Valletta MarinaThe Marina, VallettaArt / Drawings1790-181017901810Giorgio PullicinoGiorgio PullicinoThis drawing by Giorgio Pullicino (1779-1851) serves as a good historic document in itself due to the detail it goes into. During the first half of the 19th century the splendid Neptune fountain built by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt (1601-1622) still dominated the Valletta Marina. The Perellos Stores were erected by Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Rocaful (1697-1720) to enhance trading facilities at Valletta. The positive interventions of Grand Masters Wignacourt and Perellos constituted an admirable example of efficient commercial viability and refined elegant urban development.
The composition follows a structure typical of Pullicino's works: the horizon is placed at the centreline, dividing the composition in two. Most of the activity is concentrated on the lower half of the drawing, contrasting with the void of the sky, apart from some outline drawings of clouds. In this drawing one is able to appreciate the draughtsman interpretation of the view with its linear simplicity.76.7 x 107cm (framed); 41.2 x 71.8cm (unframed)Malta Maritime MuseumMalta Maritime Museum, Archive81293FAS/D/274 (Card 16095-6)41234-5EEA.16640DrawingHeritage Malta620Pen and ink on graphite on paper