Antique Print – Chelsea College and Ranelagh House from ‘Picturesque Views On The River Thames 1792

Description

Artist : Antique Print by Samuel Ireland
Title : Chelsea College & Ranelagh House
Publisher : Samuel Ireland. for his own book as above
Colouration: aquatint
Size: 266 x 316mm
Image : A view across the River Thames to Chelsea College and the rotunda at Ranelagh House
Additional Information : Chelsea College was founded by King Charles II as an establishment to care for ‘sick and superannuated soldiers who (had) been engaged in the service of their country’. Its construction seems to have been a tortuous process. until Sir Christopher Wren was engaged to supervise completion. The Rotunda was the centrepiece of Ranelagh Pleasure Gardens – a popular venue for public entertainment in the 18th century.

In common with many other contemporary publications. Ireland’s book for which he produced this aquatint had a spectacular title which – in full – was ‘Picturesque Views On The Rivers Thames From Its Source In Glocestershire (sic) To The Nore; With Observations On The Public Buildings And Other Works Of Art In Its Vicinity’.