The Horse Guards c.1753
Oil on canvas | 76.3 x 127.5 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 402436
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The popularity of Canaletto in England, especially after his visit in 1746-55, created a school of English view painters. The most famous member of that school was Samuel Scott (1702-72), who graduated from marine subjects in the style of Willem van de Velde II to Thames-side topography in the manner of Canaletto. Scott has become a useful catch-all name to associate with any mid-century London view with accurate perspective and precision of detail. There is a group of fifteen such paintings in the Royal Collection, none good enough to be by Scott himself, most of them re-cycling existing compositions. This is one of a pair with a view of St James's Palace (OM 601, 402435). It adopts exactly the same view as Canaletto's famous 1749 view (Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber Art Foundation) except that the old red-brick Horse Guard's has been replaced by the new Portland stone version, designed by William Kent and built by John Vardy 1751-3. This provides a clue to the date of this painting. There are crowds at the end of St James's Park watching a royal carriage procession, stretching from the Mall to the Horse Guards (with the Gold State Coach and three coaches).
Provenance
One of a pair (402435-6) purchased by King George VI
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Creator(s)
Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Oil on canvas
Measurements
76.3 x 127.5 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
100.1 x 151.1 x 6.2 cm (frame, external)
Category
Object type(s)
Other number(s)
Alternative title(s)
The Horse Guards, Whitehall
The new Horse Guards Building