Designs for the east side of the Upper Hall (Painted Hall)

Designs for the east face of the Upper Hall in the Painted Hall. It comprises two small sketches within drawn ink borders for the grisaille paintings which flank the Upper Hall arch: these are respectively 'Salus Publica' ('Public well-being', left or north) and 'Securitas Publica' (' Public security', right or south). The sheet also bears a faint previous pencil sketch of an exterior door elevation and related architectural detail. The subject of both sketches here is probably the same, i.e. Britannia receiving tribute, and the composition suggests they are for the south side of the archway.

(1: left) A seated female figure on a pedestal bearing a tall cross (possibly an unfinished trident), with others offering homage below, left and right, and a globe on the left. A rough sketch of two other 'gods on clouds', or similar, overlaps the left upper border of the frame, of which the lower width is annotated '9 - 6' (9 ft 6 in.). In column to the right Thornhill has noted 'Boys [indeciph.] &c / Garlands / Apoll. /Boys Knee[l?] under w[indeciph.]h / Sphere. upright'.

(2: right) This shows a similar group but more square-on to the viewer, which is annotated above by Thornhill, again in column, 'Brittania Victrix / Commande ye Ocean / Nept[une] delivers up his Trident to h[e]r / She Encourages Trade & Navigation / Clemency & Courage atte[n]d her / Brittan: holds ye Ballance of Power over Europe / Britt. guided by Wisdom. Conduct.'

In his 'Explanation' Thornhill relates that these scenes represent the wealth and security which the nation owed to the Navy. Folds in the sheet may indicate that it was sent as a packet by the artist.

Object Details

ID: PAH3347
Collection: Fine art
Type: Drawing
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Thornhill, James
Places: Greenwich
Date made: probably after 1712; 1720
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: Sheet: 184 x 275 mm; Mount: 483 mm x 636 mm
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