London at Night
Date
1967
Creator
Lawrence Daws (1927, Australian) , Painter
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
width (painting): 6160mm
height (painting): 4280mm
height (painting): 4280mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Panorama of the London skyline, with the east wing of Burlington House, the home of the Royal Society (1857-1967) dominating the foreground. To the left, a sign for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition outside the main building of Burlington House. Automobiles are parked in the approaches to the Society and activities may be seen through the sodium-yellow lit windows. The view behind is based on a false perspective, with high-rise buildings at a lower than natural level; the prevailing purple hues suggesting a twilight of nocturnal city.
Object history
Presented by William Holford and Partners, 1967.
Noted by the architect William Graham Holford, Baron Holford (1907-1975) in a general description of Carlton House Terrace produced during the transfer of headquarters locations: "Through the three arches that separate the stairs from the landing one can see the fine topographical painting, London at Night, the gift of the architects. It shows in the foreground the previous home of the Society, at Burlington House, and looks eastward across central London to the River and the City." ["The new home of the Royal Society", by Lord Holford, The Royal Society at Carlton House Terrace London (London, Royal Society, 1967), p.23.]
Noted by the architect William Graham Holford, Baron Holford (1907-1975) in a general description of Carlton House Terrace produced during the transfer of headquarters locations: "Through the three arches that separate the stairs from the landing one can see the fine topographical painting, London at Night, the gift of the architects. It shows in the foreground the previous home of the Society, at Burlington House, and looks eastward across central London to the River and the City." ["The new home of the Royal Society", by Lord Holford, The Royal Society at Carlton House Terrace London (London, Royal Society, 1967), p.23.]
Associated place
Credit
©The Royal Society
Image number
RS.9730