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Greenwich from Observatory Hill, circa 1850

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Date

ca.1850

Description

A fine summer-evening view from Greenwich Hill, with Turnerian quality in the light through the trees in the lower Park from the setting sun to the north-west. Visitors gather beneath the stone pines which formerly stood on the brow. A Greenwich Pensioner sits by a tree to the far left, where the Observatory can just be seen, and another stands beyond with a telescope on a tripod to show visitors the view of Greenwich and distant London for a small charge. The Queen's House, Greenwich Hospital and ships in the river merge into the metropolitan haze of the advancing Victorian city in the left distance. The verticals of the drawing are somewhat exaggerated for effect and the canopy of the pines deftly executed by fine brushstrokes over the white area of unprimed paper beneath, to leave highlights. The square church tower under the pines may be that of the neo-Gothic Catholic parish church of Our Ladye Star of the Sea, on Croom's Hill. This was completed with a spire in 1851, which suggest that Campion may have either done this drawing on the spot, or from sketches made during its construction.

Image Licence

CC BY-NC-ND

Image Credit

Location

Greenwich, London, England

Country

England

Medium

Watercolour