Oil picture. 66 by 35 in.
In 1741 the Rotunda was built on the Ranelagh estate, being first
opened with a public breakfast 5 April 1742. It soon became a most
fashionable place of public resort, visited too by the leading literary
men, until the early part of the nineteenth century. Allusions to
it would fill a volume. On 30 September 1805 an order was made for
taking down Ranelagh House and the Rotunda, and the garden, together
with the sites of these buildings, was not long afterwards added
to the Royal Hospital grounds. Part of the Hospital may be seen on
spectator’s right; on the left is a glimpse of the river.
By HAYMAN and HOGARTH.
_Lent by the Earl of Ilchester._