Charles Praval, Landscape Draughtsman
(d. 1789)
Landscape Draughtsman
From A Dictionary of Irish Artists 1913
A French artist who came to Dublin in 1773, and in that year exhibited three drawings at the Society of Artists in William Street: "Drawing of an Indian Fortification on the Shore of New Zealand," "An Arched Rock in New Holland" and a "View in Cheshire." In the catalogue he is described as "drawing-master at Mr. Kearns, glover, Dame Street, late draftsman to Mr. Banks during his expedition round the world." He did not again exhibit. He kept a school in which he taught drawing and French, in Abbey Street, and afterwards from 1774 in Frapper Lane. An advertisement of the school says: "The master, a Frenchman, Mr. Charles Praval, teaches gentlemen the French language. Maps, charts and every kind of geographical drawings neatly executed and expeditiously taught at the same place" ("Freeman's Journal"). He had also a lecture-room in George's Court, and, with his wife, kept a boarding-school for young ladies at Platanus on the Donnybrook Road. He died at Platanus in June, 1789. Administration of' his goods was granted in 1792 to his widow Catherine, who continued to reside at Platanus with her daughter Eliza, who married John Bennett.