With 4,000 square metres of painted surface, Painted Hall in Greenwich is London's answer to the 18th-century Sistine Chapel.
Today I'm talking about this magnificent work of art to visit in London.
Painted Hall in Greenwich: article summary
Painted Hall in Greenwich: at a glance
Established by Queen Mary II, the Old Royal Naval College was created in the 17th century to care for retired or sick naval officers.
Here you can find a sister organization of the Royal Chelsea Hospital, which cared for elderly soldiers.
Architect Christopher Wren had originally planned to create a dining room with a simple interior bathed in natural light.
However, James Thornhill, a relatively unknown British painter at the time, was commissioned to fill it with murals.
A hospital turned tourist attraction
This painting took him 19 years to complete, during which time the pensioners ate in a dark basement.
Eventually, the site was used as a tourist attraction, with pensioners being paid three pence to give guided tours to the public. Today, your admission includes an audioguide!
Painted Hall in Greenwich: what you can see
Look up and you're transported to late 17th-century England. Faced with the imminent threat of Catholicism from James II, William III and Mary II, a deeply Protestant couple, were invited to become sole monarchs in 1688.
As William and Mary had no children, her sister, Queen Anne, took over. When she also had no surviving heirs, the line of succession passed to George I of Hanover. Here you can find :
- Queen Anne and Prince George of Denmark
King George is easy to recognize. He is dressed in white and blue. The royal couple are surrounded by their family, including George II, standing with a blue scarf on his right. All this to convince the public that the monarchy is in stable hands.
A representation of the artist
There's another figure you can spot too, standing on the far right against a pillar. It's artist James Thornhill, holding out his hand to you. as if he were offering you his work.
The exhibition was such a success that Thornhill was later commissioned to paint the inner dome of the Saint Paul's Cathedral. Another space with fascinating trompe-l'œil effects.
Painted Hall in Greenwich: an exceptional central stage
In the main section of the hall is a huge fresco depicting King William III and Queen Mary II at the center of an adoring mass.
It's covered in symbols, propaganda pieces and things intended to encourage British patriotic sensibilities.
The fresco offers a wealth of detail. On site, you could spend several minutes discovering this exceptional mural.
How much does admission cost??
Online adult tickets for the Painted Hall cost £11. These are a little more expensive if you buy them on site. If you buy them on the day, they cost £12. Please note thatreduced rates are available.
What are our opening hours??
You can visit us on site:
- every day 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Painted Hall in Greenwich is a hidden gem on your visit to London. You can discover a little-known work of art that's well worth the detour.
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