Somerset House as seen from Waterloo Bridge, by the marine artist William Lionel Wyllie (1851-1931). Built by Sir William Chambers during the 1770s, Somerset House is on the site of the 16th century Renaissance palace of the Dukes of Somerset. Until the Embankment was built in the 19th century Somerset House stretched down to the water's edge and the arched southern frontage of the building still has mooring rings. Initially it housed a number of organisations including the Navy Board, the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Arts and the Society of Antiquaries. In the 20th century it became the headquarters of the Inland Revenue and the Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths. Most recently it has been returned to public use: it houses the Courtauld Gallery, Gilbert Collection and Hermitage Rooms.