Description
A watercolour topographical interior view of the Queen's Ballroom, or Van Dyck Room. Perhaps a copy by Corden after Roberts.
In comparing this work with an earlier watercolour view of the room one can see significant changes in the interior. The original ceiling by Antonio Verrio, which depicted Charles II giving freedom to Europe, has been removed and replaced with a plasterwork construction; so too were the upper sections of Carolean panelling removed. By 1841 the walls had been hung with crimson silk damask, and the paintings arranged in a double - rather than single, as in the earlier watercolour - hang. Finally, this watercolour shows the addition of a fireplace in the east wall; this was originally sited in the Queen's State Bedchamber, which was remodelled into the Royal Library during the reign of William IV.
The Queen's Ballroom was again extensively redecorated by J. G. and J. D. Crace in 1855 for the occasion of the visit of the Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie of France. This included painting the heraldic shields on the ceiling, installing the red, gold and maroon carpet which had been created especially for the room, and installing the crystal chandeliers. A number of works of art are also depicted, including a suite of gilt furniture by Chippendale and a Sevre porcelain vase.
This watercolour records a number of portraits hanging in the Queen's Ballroom, with a particular concentration of Van Dycks. The first recording of a complete Van Dyck hang dates from 1837, and by the end of the 1830s the ballroom was known as the Van Dyck Room, a title that endured into the twentieth century.
Image Licence
All Rights Reserved
Image Credit
Royal Collection Trust/© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017
Location
Windsor Castle, Berkshire, England
Country
England
Medium
Watercolour
Tags
Category
Buildings & Architecture
