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📍Painted Hall

Painted Hall is a painting hall located at the Old Royal Naval College (Old Royal Naval College). Many famous movies have been filmed here, including Les Misérables (Les Misérables) and Johnny Depp (Johnny Depp) Pirates of the Caribbean (Pirates of the Caribbean). The studio was designed by the English painter James Thornhill (James Thornhill) in the early 18th century and depicts 200 figures on over 40,000 square feet of ceilings and walls. However, this admirable painting is actually a political propaganda created over 19 years. Today I would like to introduce you to the meaning behind the details of painting.

Painted Hall was originally intended to be a dining space for elderly soldiers living in the Royal Hospital. Architect Christopher Wren (Christopher Wren)'s original plan was to create a restaurant with a simple interior and plenty of natural light. However, James Thornhill (James Thornhill), an English painter who was relatively unknown at the time, was commissioned to fill it with murals, creating this century's work. Using allegories, myths, history, and contemporary figures, this giant painting recounts political changes, scientific and cultural achievements, and naval work. The central description focuses on the key time when the United Kingdom was founded and became Europe's leading power. These paintings celebrate Britain's political stability, commercial prosperity, and naval strength.

Three succession of thrones

William and Mary

Painted Hall experienced a total of three changes of monarch during production. If you look up from the central hall, you'll see King William III and Queen Mary II, who took the throne in 1688. Since the former Royal Naval Hospital was built by two patents, you can also see a scan of this building below. William III and Mary II had no children, so Mary's younger sister, Queen Anne, took over as the next one.

Queen Anne and Prince George

The ceiling of the second porch depicts Queen Anne, who ruled from 1702-1714, and her husband Prince George of Denmark. They are defended by mythological figures and angels on the sidelines to defeat the devil below. Queen Anne did not have any children, and all 50 close relatives converted to Catholicism (according to English law at the time, converts to Catholicism were not allowed to inherit the throne; only Christian Protestants could inherit), so the 51st closest relative, George I, succeeded him.

George I and the Painter

George I was the first English monarch whose native language was German. Surrounded by his family and the next king (George II), he seemed to be a Ming monarch defended by the public. However, George II (second from George I's right, another boy in armor) was at odds with his father at the time. As a result, the painter James cleverly made George II wear armor and only look at George I, satisfying the intentions of the two monarchs at the same time. What's interesting is that the one standing on the far right is James's self-portrait! He is the only person in the painting who turned his back and turned his head to the audience, presenting his work to us like a conductor. This painting also made James the first British artist to be knighted by George I in 1720.

Painted Hall detailed analysis

British patriotism

There are many other countries in the painting, including the Spanish Navy in the main hall and America, Asia, and Africa in the second house. At any rate, the painting wants to show that England is the strongest country.

Lunar eclipse prophecy

In the corner of the main hall is John Flamsteed, England's first royal astronomer, and his assistant Thomas Weston, holding the most advanced lunar eclipse map and telescope at the time. On the lunar eclipse map, the estimated date of the lunar eclipse was written (pictured before the lunar eclipse date), and it was later discovered that they actually accurately calculated the time when the lunar eclipse occurred.

The Invisible Hand

When you look closely at the paintings in the Second Hall, you can see that George II has a hand covered with paint underneath, causing many future generations to speculate differently. One of the most common guesses is that this location is George II's original location. After careful consideration, they chose to stand next to George I.

Conclusion

The analysis mentioned this time is only a small part of Pang Da's painting, and there are countless details waiting for you to discover. You can only experience the magnificence of the painting and the feeling of being in it yourself. In addition to voice navigation and regular guide presentations, the museum also has a sofa where visitors can lie back and watch this masterpiece, so you can feel and understand the story behind it with your mind.

How to get to Painted Hall?

Painted Hall is located in Greenwich, a 5-minute walk from London's Cutty Sark DLR station.
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