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Paintings, Prints & Drawings — C.1809

The Burning of Drury Lane Theatre from Westminster Bridge

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Just after eleven o'clock on the night of 24 February 1809, Drury Lane Theatre caught fire and burnt down. Built by Henry Holland, the theatre was constructed primarily of wood; when the fire started it took less than a quarter of an hour to engulf the entire building, which was fortunately empty as no performance was taking place.

This view of the fire is taken from Westminster Bridge where spectators and three firemen can be seen. The theatre blazes in the background with smoke billowing upwards. The spires of St.Martin-in-the-Fields, St. Giles-in-the-Fields, St. Mary-le-Strand and St. Clement Danes, with York Building Waterworks Company tower, dominate the skyline; the facades of the Royal Terrace, Adelphi and Somerset House are also visible.

The London born artist Thomas Luny ( 1759-1837) served at sea for varying periods and was primarily a marine painter.

Category:
Paintings, Prints & Drawings
Object ID:
59.105/1
Object name:
The Burning of Drury Lane Theatre from Westminster Bridge
Object type:

painting, oil painting

Artist/Maker:
Luny, Thomas
Related people:

Related events:

Related places:

London

Production date:
c.1809
Material:

oil, canvas, wood

Measurements/duration:
H 534 mm, W 740 mm (unframed), H 670 mm, W 880 mm, D 65 mm (framed)
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.

Tags

Paintings, Prints & Drawings Hanoverian Georgian Art & Design Death & Disasters City of Westminster
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