Brighton, showing Miss Widgett's circulating Library, Marlborough House, the Castle Inn and Assembly Rooms and the Marine Pavilion

This watercolour is a rare and early view of Brighton in the early 1790s. On the far left hand side of the watercolour is Miss Widgett's circulating library, which was one of the great requirements of fashionable society at that time. The large house to the right of this and above the figures with nets is Marlborough House, the most distinguished building in Brighton with the exception of the Brighton Pavilion. The house is shown after the completion of Robert Adam's remodelling which was begun shortly after its purchase in 1786 by William 'Single Speech' Hamilton. The large building to the right of this is the Castle Inn and Assembly Rooms which were the main focus of fashionable society in Brighton. To the right of this with the classical portico is the Marine Pavilion which was built by Henry Holland in 1787. The coade stone figures which were placed above the entablature over the ionic columns of the central bay can be clearly seen in this drawing.
We are very grateful to Andrew Barlow of the Brighton Art Gallery and Museum for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.