Established by Hugh Lane in 1908, the Dublin City Gallery is believed to be the first gallery of modern art in the world. Home to one of Ireland's most impressive collections of modern and contemporary art, the gallery is home to Francis Bacon's Studio and seven of his unfinished paintings. Sir Hugh Lane (1875-1915) was a member of the Celtic Revival, a group central to the Irish cultural renaissance of the early 20th century. Lane and others of the group believed that Dublin deserved an art gallery showcasing the best national and international art and financed the purchase of many infamous paintings by artists like Manet and Degas.

In honor of the gallery's 100th year, An Post has released a stamp issue featuring an Antonio Mancini painting of Sir Hugh Lane. Mancini, a Neapolitan artist, was commissioned by Lane in 1908 to paint twelve paintings which would form the first of many works in the original gallery collection. The Dublin City Gallery issue is available from the An Post website in a single stamp issues, a sheetlet of 12, and a first day cover.

Technical Details:
Date of Issue: March 28, 2008
Denomination: 55c
Quantity: .3m
Designer: Q Design
Stamp Size: 29.79 mm x 44.45 mm
Color: Multicolour with phosphor tagging
Make-up: Sheetlets of 12
Perforations: 13.75 x 13.75
Printing Process: Lithography
Printer: Irish Security Stamp Printing Ltd.