Watercolour. 29½ by 20¼ in.
Old Somerset House was built by the Protector, brother of Jane Seymour
and maternal uncle of Edward VI, being begun soon after the death of
Henry VIII. During a portion of Mary’s reign it was assigned to her
sister Elizabeth. James I granted it to his Queen, Anne of Denmark.
Charles handed it over to his Queen, Henrietta Maria, and caused
a chapel for Roman Catholics to be added to the building. This was
designed by Inigo Jones and consecrated in 1635, and he did other
work there. A picture at Dulwich, engraved for Wilkinson’s “Londina
Illustrata,” shows it before his chapel and alterations destroyed the
uniform character of the building. It can hardly be from nature, as
the artist was Cornelis Bol, who also portrayed the Great Fire. The
present view must have been painted shortly before its demolition
in 1775. An arcaded portion designed by Inigo Jones, stands out
prominently.
By T. SANDBY, R.A. (1721-1798).
_Lent by H.M. the King._