Oil picture. 60 by 31½ in.
Dates from soon after the Restoration. In the foreground to right is
York Water-gate, in mid-distance is the Banqueting Hall. Next to that
the louvred stone building is undoubtedly the great Hall, Whitehall,
also visible in No. 89. It was about 100 feet long by 45 feet. Here
several of Shakespeare’s plays were acted before Queen Elizabeth;
destroyed in fire of 1697, Horse Guards Avenue covers most of the
site. Below Westminster Abbey, and projecting into river, is the public
landing stage called Whitehall Stairs, with boats attached to it. The
site of this is immediately east of the present Horse Guards Avenue.
Beyond, but at first glance appearing to be part of same structure,
are Privy Stairs, with covered passage. St. Margaret’s Church,
Westminster Hall, and St. Stephen’s Chapel are grouped together. To
extreme left is Lambeth Palace.
The artist, Thomas Wijck, Wyck, or Van Wyck, was born at Beverwyck
about 1616. He studied with his father, and in Italy, and about the
time of the Restoration came to England, where he was much employed.
He painted several other views of London. Died at Haarlem, 1677.
By THOMAS WIJCK (about 1616-1677).
_Lent by Mr. E. C. Grenfell._