Paintings, Prints & Drawings — 1788-1790
The Ascent of Lunardi's Balloon from St George's Fields
In 1784 Vincenzo Lunardi, secretary to the Neopolitan Ambassador to England, made history with his successful ascent in a hydrogen-filled balloon. He took off from the Honourable Artillery Company's ground in Moorfields and landed at Ware.
Ibbetson's painting records the balloon's third ascent, from St. George's Fields, Newington, on 29 June 1785. Tickets were sold for the event and a crowd of spectators gathered to watch. Lunardi had intended to pilot the flight and take four passengers along; when the balloon failed to rise under the weight, he allowed George Biggin, his patron, and Letitia Anne Sage to occupy the 'eagle's nest'. Despite having no experience of piloting, Biggin successfully navigated the balloon over the Thames and Westminster.
- Category:
- Paintings, Prints & Drawings
- Object ID:
- A15491
- Object name:
- The Ascent of Lunardi's Balloon from St George's Fields
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Ibbetson, Julius Caesar
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- 1788-1790
- Material:
oil, canvas, wood
- Measurements/duration:
- H 500 mm, W 606 mm (unframed). H 660 mm, W 765 mm, D 98 mm (framed). Weight 10.5kg.
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.