One of London’s most popular attractions with over one million visitors a year is the Old Naval College in Greenwich. With its rich history and breathtakingly beautiful architecture, it transports you to another time and has also been the backdrop for Hollywood blockbuster movies such as Thor, The Kings Speech, Four Weddings and a Funeral and also Netflix’s The Crown. Whilst it’s a little outside of central London, a trip here is worth the effort. I have many wonderful memories of summer days spent with my sister and my nieces wandering around Greenwich and its surrounding sights.
“With its rich history and breathtakingly beautiful architecture, it transports you to another time and has also been the backdrop for Hollywood blockbuster movies”
The site of the Old Royal Naval College was once Greenwich Palace (1498–1694). It was the birthplace of the infamous Tudor monarch King Henry VIII and his daughters Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I. Most of the palace was destroyed in the civil war. In 1694 King William III granted it by Royal Warrant as the site for a charitable institution for naval veterans, in accordance with the wishes of his late wife, Queen Mary II. Esteemed architect Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to build the Royal Hospital for Seamen.
“Wren’s outstanding Baroque complex that still stands today, was intended to reflect the wealth and power of Britain as the world’s dominant maritime power.”
The scale and magnificence of Wren’s outstanding Baroque complex that still stands today, was intended to reflect the wealth and power of Britain as the world’s dominant maritime power. The Painted Hall boasts one of the most spectacular Baroque interiors in Europe. The incredible ceiling and wall decorations were conceived and executed by British artist Sir James Thornhill.
The epic painting scheme, known as ‘Britain’s Sistine Chapel’ took nineteen years from the start of the commission to its completion in 1726. By turns extravagant, playful, thoughtful, naïve and politically shrewd, Thornhill’s scheme earned him a knighthood and payment of £6,685.
“The epic painting scheme, known as ‘Britain’s Sistine Chapel’ took nineteen years from the start of the commission to its completion in 1726.”
Thornhill used a variety of techniques such as trompe l’oeil (‘trick the eye’) and chiaroscuro (contrast of light and dark) to enliven his paintings. His use of illusionistic architecture and steep perspective was inspired by Italian baroque painting.
Continued in Painted Hall: Magnificent Baroque Interiors (II)
For more information and to book, visit www.ornc.org.
