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The Merrion Hotel History Book
Historical Portraits for a Luxury Dublin Heritage
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The Merrion History Book
Historical Fine Art Portraits for The Merrion Hotel Dublin
In this prestigious corporate and cultural commission, we were invited by the luxury Merrion Hotel in Dublin to illustrate their official commemorative history book. Our contribution features a series of high-concept historical fine art portraits dedicated to the prominent figures who shaped the heritage of this landmark Irish institution.
Each portrait is rooted in deep historical research; we integrated the classical likeness of the subjects with distinct, sophisticated architectural and decorative details drawn from the Georgian interiors and facades of the Merrion Hotel itself.
Project Credentials
- Client: The Merrion Hotel, Dublin (Ireland)
- Words by: Gemma Tipton
- Book Design: Oonagh Young at Design HQ
- Illustrations: Anna and Elena Balbusso
- Printed by: Die Keure (Belgium)
The Historical Portraits Portfolio
The comprehensive series includes our bespoke visual interpretations of the following historic personalities:
Sir Arthur Wellesley (The Duke of Wellington) • Lady Castlereagh • Mary Delany • Lord Stanley Monck • Lord Cloncurry • Valentine Lawless • Viscount Castlereagh
A Multi-Award-Winning Corporate Series
This editorial series has achieved extraordinary acclaim within the international artistic community, receiving the following prestigious honors:
- 2019 – Award of Excellence, Communication Arts Illustration Annual 60 (USA).
- 2019 – “Illustrators 61” Selection, Annual Book and Exhibit, Society of Illustrators, New York (USA).
- 2018 – GOLD GoSee Award, Illustration Category (Germany).
- 2018 – Shortlisted, WIA World Illustration Awards, The AOI / Directory of Illustrators (UK).
The Historical Context
Extract from the book by Gemma Tipton:
"Take a walk in Dublin’s Georgian historic heart, through Merrion Square and along towards St Stephen’s Green, and you could find yourself feeling as if you have stepped back in time. The elegant redbrick buildings, with their sash windows designed to let in exactly the right amount of light, and their sets of granite steps sweeping up to gleaming, smartly painted doors, whisper of the lives that once went on inside.
Along the west side of Merrion Square and towards Upper Merrion Street, your route brings you past the grand civic buildings of the National Gallery, Natural History Museum, and Leinster House: seat of the Irish Government, and said to be so ideal in proportion and design that it became the model for the White House in Washington DC. Further up, pass the Palladian façade of Government Buildings, where for almost a century the future of Ireland has been considered and shaped; and opposite, in one of the most elegant collections of four perfect Georgian town houses, find the Merrion Hotel."
Explore the Complete Publication
The entire luxury volume, merging our fine art portraiture with the rich history of Dublin's Georgian heart, is available for digital reading. Click the link below to explore the official publication:
👉 READ THE MERRION HISTORY BOOK OFFICIAL PDF
.jpeg "The Balbusso Twins historical portraits exhibited at the World Illustration Awards exhibition, Somerset House, London.")
.jpeg "The Balbusso Twins historical portraits exhibited at the World Illustration Awards exhibition, Somerset House, London.")
World Illustration Awards Exhibition — London
"Our historical fine art portraits for The Merrion History Book on display during the official World Illustration Awards exhibition at Somerset House in London. We were deeply honored to have our commissioned series shortlisted by the Association of Illustrators (AOI) and showcased alongside the finest contemporary illustration projects from around the globe."