Artwork
Volunteers of the City and County of Dublin at College Green, 1779

Volunteers of the City and County of Dublin at College Green, 1779 is a watercolor work on paper by the Rococo painting artist Francis Wheatley. It dates from 1779 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This drawing shows a busy street scene with a crowd of people gathered in front of buildings.
This drawing shows a busy street scene with a crowd of people gathered in front of buildings. Some men on horseback stand near a statue, while others on foot hold flags or talk in groups. The buildings look old, with tall windows and a dome in the background.
The artist focused on a specific moment: a group of volunteers meeting in Dublin in 1779. The crowd’s mix of poses, some standing, some talking, feels lively and real.
Look up Romanticism to see how artists used emotion and everyday life in their work.
Overview
This 1779 watercolour captures a moment in the history of the Volunteers of the City and County of Dublin, depicting a gathering at College Green. The scene is populated with identifiable figures from Dublin's society and politics.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork commemorates a specific meeting of the Volunteers, a militia group, highlighting key members such as Sir J. A. Johnston, the Duke of Leinster, and several local dignitaries. The inclusion of these individuals emphasizes the gathering's significance within Dublin's social and political landscape.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the piece conveys a sense of liveliness through varied poses among the crowd, suggesting a focus on capturing the dynamism of everyday life. The style anticipates elements of Romanticism, with an emphasis on emotion and realism in depicting common scenes.
History & Provenance
Created in 1779, the watercolour provides a visual record of a notable event in Dublin's history. While the artist's name is not specified in the provided details, the work's existence underscores the importance of the Volunteers' movement in late 18th-century Ireland.
Context
The painting reflects the late 18th-century context of civic militia movements in Ireland, as well as the architectural character of Dublin at the time, with old buildings and a dome visible in the background.
Legacy
As a historical document, the watercolour offers insights into Dublin's societal and political climate of the era. Its artistic approach, blending realism with a sense of community, contributes to the broader narrative of pre-Romantic artistic tendencies in Ireland.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Francis Wheatley RA (1747 – 28 June 1801) was an English painter who specialised in portrait painting and landscape art.


















