drawing
- Museum number
- 1862,0614.202
- Description
-
Interior of the Royal Military Repository, the Rotunda, Woolwich; large circular room with tent-like ceiling, visitors examining displays of military models. 1828
Watercolour
- Production date
- 1828
- Dimensions
-
Height: 274 millimetres
-
Width: 446 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Catalogue entry from J.Kierkuc-Bielinski, 'George Scharf', exh. Soane Museum, 2009 (no. 33):
The Rotunda at Woolwich was originally a tent-like structure, designed by John Nash, and erected in the grounds of Carlton House as part of the celebrations held to mark the abdication of the Emperor Napoleon in 1814. Although the peace proved short-lived, Tsar Alexander I of Russia and Frederick William II, King of Prussia visited London and were splendidly entertained by the Prince Regent. Following the end of the festivities, the tent was taken to Woolwich, to house the collection of military models and exhibits of the Royal Artillery Institution Museum. Nash converted the temporary tent into a permanent structure in 1822 by replacing the original fabric covering of the Rotunda with sheet lead and adding the central supporting pillar. Scharf has carefully shown the exhibited models of strategic ports and other locations, models of guns and their emplacements as well as actual examples of artillery and firearms. The Rotunda stands to this day, however the historical collections are no longer displayed there. A later note in his journal, dated 28 July 1834, indicates that he intended to exhibit his drawing of the Rotunda in Liverpool.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
2009 Mar-Jun, London, Sir John Soane Museum, George Scharf
- Acquisition date
- 1862
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1862,0614.202
