Scene on the Serpentine, Hyde Park, on the Night of the Grand Jubilee, 1 August 1814
Coloured aquatintpublished 24 August 1814
About the work
A great explosion, caused by cannon fire, can be seen in the centre of this composition as small scale representations of British and American fleets act out a naval engagement on the Serpentine River in Hyde Park, watched by crowds of spectators, lining the shore.As part of the Grand Jubilee celebrations, which took place on 1 August 1814, to commemorate the return to peace and the centenary of the House of Hanover, a miniature representation of a sea battle was staged on the Serpentine River in Hyde Park. During the battle, British vessels were reportedly made to defeat twice the number of Americans.
About the artist
Thomas Malton junior was a teacher of perspective, draughtsman, etcher and aquatint engraver of views after his own designs and caricatures after Thomas Rowlandson. He was born in London, the son of the architectural draughtsman Thomas Malton senior and the brother of James Malton, who also became a well known draughtsman and aquatint engraver. Malton junior worked in Dublin for three years for the architect John Gandon and later studied at the Royal Academy Schools. He also worked as a scene painter, as well as running evening drawing classes, at which Turner took lessons in perspective. From 1796 until 1804 he lived in Long Acre, off St. Martin’s Lane. He is best known for his careful drawings of London buildings.
- Scene on the Serpentine, Hyde Park, on the Night of the Grand Jubilee, 1 August 1814
- published 24 August 1814
- Coloured aquatint
- Purchased from John McMaster, April 1949
- GAC number