The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons

The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons

Romanticism, art, landscape art, Palace of Westiminister

Joseph M.W. Turner was present in London for the burning of Parliament and certainly sought to make use of it. As the fire raged, Turner studied the blaze from two different vantage points (including from a boat) sketches the scene from multiple angles. The perspective chosen for this painting positions the bridge and the blaze such the blaze is enflamed -- that's a pun -- which emphasized its destructive power.

Joseph Mallord William Turner (British, 1775-1851)

https://joyofmuseums.com/museums/united-states-of-america/philadelphia-museums/philadelphia-museum-of-art/the-burning-of-the-houses-of-lords-and-commons/ (opens to new tab)

Philadephia Museum of Art

1835

Ben Richardson

Open Access

The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons, 16 October 1834: 
https://enlightenmens.lmc.gatech.edu/items/show/id/987

Oil on canvas
H: 36.25 in (92.1 cm). W: 48.5 in (123.2 cm)

Painting