View of Manoel Island and Valletta from Tigné Point

Alternate title

Marsamuscetto Harbour

Artist Giorgio Pullicino 1779 - 1851

DateBefore 1844

Classification(s)

Art / Drawings

Object TypeDrawing

Registration NumberMMM 004757

DescriptionA drawing by Giorgio Pullicino (1779-1851). This drawing serves as a good historic document in itself due to the detail it goes into. At the foreground, people riding horses or donkeys pulling carriages at Tigné Point. On the right, British officials escorting a carriage. In the middle ground, a view of Fort Manoel, and beyond it, a view of Valletta from the side of Marsamxett. The drawing predates 1844 because of the absence of the Anglican St Paul's Pro-Cathedral.

The composition follows a typical structure 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. This drawing matches Pullicino's painting "View of Manoel Island" which is found at the National Museum of Fine Arts, which was purchased in London in 1912 (Buhagiar, 1987: 160).Technique

Pen and ink on graphite on paper

Dimensions76.7 x 107cm (framed); 41.2 x 71.8cm (unframed)

Alternate ID Numbers