VIEW OF THE NORTH FRONT OF WINDSOR CASTLE FROM THE THAMES WITH FIGURES AND LIVESTOCK IN THE FOREGROUND

IN THIS INTERESTING PROSPECT OF THE NORTHERN FRONT OF WINDSOR CASTLE, THE ARTIST WOULD APPEAR TO HAVE USED AN AMALGAMATION OF ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS FROM ELSEWHERE IN THE CASTLE. FROM 1675, THE CASTLE, WHOSE EXTERIOR HAD CHANGED LITTLE SINCE HOEFNAGEL'S DRAWING OF CIRCA 1570, WAS TRANSFORMED BY HUGH MAY FOR KING CHARLES II. MAY'S WORK INCLUDED THE INTRODUCTION OF A REGULAR BLOCK IN THE CENTRE OF THE NORTH FRONT AND THE REMOVAL OF MOST OF THE IRREGULAR MEDIEVAL TOWERS AND TURRETS. THE NEW FRONT IS RECORDED IN VIEWS BY BY LEONARD KNYFF AND HENDRIK DANCKERTS (CHRISTIE'S, LONDON, 8 NOVEMBER 1995, LOT 75). THIS PAINTING IS NOT AN ACCURATE RECORD OF THE CASTLE EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER THESE CHANGES IN 1675.