HENDRICK DANCKERTS (c.1625-1680) 'View of Whitehall'

This view of Whitehall shows the Banqueting House, the Tilt Yard, the Holbein Gate, turrets, battlements and Gothic tracery of the old Banqueting House, built for Queen Elizabeth in 1581, and the octagonal roof of the Cockpit building, originally constructed for cockfighting but by the time of this work used as a theatre. At the time of its fiery destruction in 1698, Whitehall Palace was probably the largest palace in Europe; the centre of English royal power for 168 years. The fabulous palace was created by Cardinal Wolsey as his central London residence. It was enlarged and extended massively by King Henry VIII after 1530. Whitehall was at the centre of some of the most momentous events in English history, from the execution of Charles I in 1649 to the Glorious Revolution and succession to the throne of William III and Mary II in 1689-90. Two similar views of Whitehall by Danckerts, one depicting King Charles II and his dogs walking in St. James's Park and the other showing the Royal Coach leaving the palace are currently in the Government Art Collection (GAC 12211and GAC 3653)