View of Hyde Park Corner with Apsley House, looking towards Piccadilly

This view of Hyde Park Corner, framed by now famous landmarks, was something of a novelty when this picture was painted. Constitution Arch and the Hyde Park screen had been erected by Decimus Burton between 1825 and 1828. The momentum for carrying out these works was the building of nearby Buckingham Palace, the screen and the arch forming grand landmarks for the drive between the Palace and Hyde Park. Apsley House, also known as Number 1, London, had also been remodelled in 1828 by Benjamin and Philip Wyatt for the Duke of Wellington. The street and balconies are crowded with onlookers watching the procession of Royal Horse Guards, popularly known as 'the Blues', proceeding towards the Hyde Park Entrance. It has been suggested that the figure riding a white horse, followed by four officers, may be the Duke of Wellington, who was Colonel of the Royal Regiment of the Horse Guards between 1813 and 1827. The picture may be compared with a similar view of troops at Hyde Park Corner, painted in 1833 by James Holland, now in the Museum of London. The distinctive sleeves in the women's costume in both pictures are datable between 1828-1835.

We are grateful Edwina Ehrman and Captian David Horn for their help with this catalogue entry.