James Thornhill (1675-1734), artist of the Painted Hall in the Royal Naval Hospital, Greenwich, became the first English-born artist to be knighted in 1721. In 1696 the young artist completed his apprenticeship and in 1707 Thornhill began work at the Hospital, a commission that was to occupy him, on and off, for 19 years and which was to see him produce what is arguably his greatest work.