William and Mary Presenting the Cap of Liberty to Europe (sketch for the painted ceiling of the Great Hall, Greenwich Hospital)
Oil Painting
ca. 1710 (made)
ca. 1710 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This is a preliminary study, in effect a design, for part of the decorative scheme in the Painted Hall at Greenwich Hospital, London, newly designed by Christopher Wren. This sketch is not highly finished, and the painting technique is relatively crude but very vigorous.
Subjects Depicted
The monarchs, William and Mary, are shown attended by the figures of Concord and the Cardinal Virtues. The King presents the personifications of Peace and Liberty to Europe and tramples on Tyranny and Arbitrary Power. The figure of Architecture holds a drawing of part of the Hospital (which was erected partly as a memorial to the Queen). Time rescues Truth; Wisdom and Virtue destroy the Vices; and Apollo and the Hours are seen in the Heavens. The Signs of the Zodiac, presided over by the Seasons, are grouped around the oval frame. The present ceiling, executed in 1708/9-1712 varies in some respects from this design.
People
Thornhill and his assistants worked intermittently on the Painted Hall at Greenwich Hospital for l9 years, completing two vast ceiling paintings and five murals that celebrate the Protestant succession of English monarchs from William and Mary (reigned 1689-1702) to George I (reigned 1714-1727).
This is a preliminary study, in effect a design, for part of the decorative scheme in the Painted Hall at Greenwich Hospital, London, newly designed by Christopher Wren. This sketch is not highly finished, and the painting technique is relatively crude but very vigorous.
Subjects Depicted
The monarchs, William and Mary, are shown attended by the figures of Concord and the Cardinal Virtues. The King presents the personifications of Peace and Liberty to Europe and tramples on Tyranny and Arbitrary Power. The figure of Architecture holds a drawing of part of the Hospital (which was erected partly as a memorial to the Queen). Time rescues Truth; Wisdom and Virtue destroy the Vices; and Apollo and the Hours are seen in the Heavens. The Signs of the Zodiac, presided over by the Seasons, are grouped around the oval frame. The present ceiling, executed in 1708/9-1712 varies in some respects from this design.
People
Thornhill and his assistants worked intermittently on the Painted Hall at Greenwich Hospital for l9 years, completing two vast ceiling paintings and five murals that celebrate the Protestant succession of English monarchs from William and Mary (reigned 1689-1702) to George I (reigned 1714-1727).
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Title | William and Mary Presenting the Cap of Liberty to Europe (sketch for the painted ceiling of the Great Hall, Greenwich Hospital) |
| Materials and techniques | Oil on canvas |
| Brief description | Sir James Thornhill, painting, design for the Painted Hall, Greenwich - William and Mary Presenting the Cap of Liberty to Europe |
| Physical description | Design for the Painted Hall, Greenwich - William and Mary Presenting the Cap of Liberty to Europe |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label |
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| Object history | Purchased, 1877 Commissioned by the Governors of The Royal Hospital for Seamen, Greenwich. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type This is a preliminary study, in effect a design, for part of the decorative scheme in the Painted Hall at Greenwich Hospital, London, newly designed by Christopher Wren. This sketch is not highly finished, and the painting technique is relatively crude but very vigorous. Subjects Depicted The monarchs, William and Mary, are shown attended by the figures of Concord and the Cardinal Virtues. The King presents the personifications of Peace and Liberty to Europe and tramples on Tyranny and Arbitrary Power. The figure of Architecture holds a drawing of part of the Hospital (which was erected partly as a memorial to the Queen). Time rescues Truth; Wisdom and Virtue destroy the Vices; and Apollo and the Hours are seen in the Heavens. The Signs of the Zodiac, presided over by the Seasons, are grouped around the oval frame. The present ceiling, executed in 1708/9-1712 varies in some respects from this design. People Thornhill and his assistants worked intermittently on the Painted Hall at Greenwich Hospital for l9 years, completing two vast ceiling paintings and five murals that celebrate the Protestant succession of English monarchs from William and Mary (reigned 1689-1702) to George I (reigned 1714-1727). |
| Bibliographic reference | pp. 116-7
Rubens and his legacy London : Royal Academy of Arts, 2014. ISBN: 9781907533778 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 812-1877 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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