English: Sketch for the Painted Ceiling of the Greet Hall, Greenwich Hospital: William and Mary Presenting the Cap of Liberty to Europe, about 1710, Sir James Thornhill V&A Museum no. 812-1877

Techniques - Oil on canvas

Place - London, England

Dimensions - Height 96.5 cm (unframed), Width 66 cm (unframed)

Object Type - This is a preliminary study, in effect a design, for part of the decorative scheme in the Painted Hall at Greenwich Hospital, London, newly designed by Christopher Wren. This sketch is not highly finished, and the painting technique is relatively crude but very vigorous.

Subjects Depicted - The monarchs, William and Mary, are shown attended by the figures of Concord and the Cardinal Virtues. The King presents the personifications of Peace and Liberty to Europe and tramples on Tyranny and Arbitrary Power. The figure of Architecture holds a drawing of part of the Hospital (which was erected partly as a memorial to the Queen). Time rescues Truth; Wisdom and Virtue destroy the Vices; and Apollo and the Hours are seen in the Heavens. The Signs of the Zodiac, presided over by the Seasons, are grouped around the oval frame. The present ceiling, executed in 1708/9-1712 varies in some respects from this design.

People -

Thornhill and his assistants worked intermittently on the Painted Hall at Greenwich Hospital for l9 years, completing two vast ceiling paintings and five murals that celebrate the Protestant succession of English monarchs from William and Mary (reigned 1689-1702) to George I (reigned 1714-1727).