Designs for the east wall
designs for the east side of the upper hall: south side of arch [painted hall, greenwich]
this design comprises two small sketches within drawn ink borders for the grisaille paintings which flank the upper hall arch: salus publica (left or north) and securitas publica (right or south). The sheet also bears a faint previous pencil sketch of an exterior door elevation and related architectural detail. The subject of both is probably the same, i. E. Britannia receiving tribute, and the composition suggests they are for the south inner face of the archway in the upper hall at greenwich. (1: left) a seated female figure on a pedestal bearing a tall cross (possibly an unfinished trident), with others offering homage below, left and right, and a globe on the left. A rough sketch of two other 'gods on clouds', or similar, overlaps the left upper border of the frame, of which the lower width is annotated '9 - 6' (9 ft 6 in. ) in column to the right thornhill has noted 'boys [indeciph. ] &c / garlands / apoll. /boys knee[l?] under w[indeciph. ]h / sphere. Upright'. (2: right) this shows a similar group but more square-on to the viewer, which is annotated above by thornhill, again in column, 'brittania victrix / commande ye ocean / nept[une] delivers up his trident to h[e]r / she encourages trade & navigation / clemency & courage atte[n]d her / brittan: holds ye ballance of power over europe / britt. Guided by wisdom. Conduct. '
in his 'explanation' thornhill relates that these scenes represent the wealth and security which the nation owed to the navy. Folds in the sheet may indicate that it was sent as a packet by the artist. Designs for the east side of the upper hall: south side of arch painted hall, greenwich. Date: 1720. Dimensions: Sheet: 184 x 275 mm; Mount: 483 mm x 636 mm. Collection: Fine art.
Loading...
