The painting is a fairly accurate depiction of the west end of Chester Cathedral, as it appeared before Sir Giles Gilbert Scott's restoration, which began in 1868. The cathedral is actually built of redstone but, as with so many artists, Niemann obviously did not like this and changed the colour of the stone. The houses on the left of the picture are wholly imaginary, since in 1853 the Bishop's Palace stood on this site.

We are grateful to Peter Boughton for his help in preparing this entry.