The Painted Hall, Greenwich Hospital (Old Royal Naval College): sketch for George I landing at Greenwich on the north wall of the Upper Hall

This sketch provides further evidence both of Thornhill's mastery of pen and wash and of his abilities as an architectural draughtsman. Here the artist presents an elevation of the entire north wall. It is a preliminary design, close to but not the same as the final trompe l'oeil version executed in grisaille on the north side of the Upper Hall, commemorating George I's landing at Greenwich from Hanover on his succession in 1714 (shown in a drawing in the collection of the British Museum, BM 1865,0610.1353). The classicized scene of the King borne on a triumphal car includes versions of the emblematic figures in the final composition, including Fame (here bearing a wreath as well as a trumpet) and Liberty, with a Phrygian cap on a staff.

The corner of the Hospital's King Charles Court shown within the false frame has a flag flying over the projected roof statue 'pergola', never executed, which does not appear in the executed version. This also has the frame supported by double rather than single brackets and single Tritons to left and right of the fireplace, rather than the Tritons paired with female figures in this drawing, in which the flanking trophies of arms below the supporters are also lacking. Apart from the central shell motif, the decoration of the trompe l'oeil overmantle in the Hall also varies, as does the decoration above the flanking lower windows. Most of the executed design is illustrated in John Bold, 'Greenwich; an Architectural History of the Royal Hospital for Seamen and the Queen's House' (London, 2000), pl. 196 facing p. 151. [PvdM amended 10/10]

Related designs for the north wall grisaille are in the British Museum collection, BM 1865.0610.1327 & BM 1865,0610.1353.

Collector's mark: RMW (Sir Robert Witt)