Sketches for Spaces: History Painting and Architecture 1630–1730

Small exhibition at Tate Britain looking at the 17th and 18th century fashion for decorating interiors with murals and paintings from the ceiling of the Banqueting House to the Painted Hall at Greenwich.

The show looked at royal ceilings, domes, staircases and other ceilings. I loved seeing a number of different possible designs for the inside of the Dome of St Paul’s. I was interested to learn how great mural designs were popular as prints and to see a whole section on the designs of the staircase at Marlborough House including a life size photo of it sent in the corner of the room  and print and painted versions.

My favourite item was Carwitham’s “Fantasy of Flight” which may have been a mural design or a book illustration. I so hope it was a mural design! It would have rivalled the Michelangelo Last Judgement with great naked figures tumbling down the picture.

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