Vast panorama of London painted in 1815 is exhibited for the first time

  • London
Detail of the panorama by Pierre Prevost Credit: Museum of London

A 20 foot long panorama of London painted in 1815 is going on show at the Museum of London for the first time.

The 360 degree view was painted by French artist Pierre Prevost from St Margaret's Church in the Shadow of Westminster Abbey. It was recently acquired by the Museum of London, where it will now go on display.

The sweeping vision takes in Parliament Square, the old Palace of Westminster, cattle grazing in St James’s Park, Buckingham House, St Martin-in-the-Fields, the unfinished Strand (soon to be renamed Waterloo) Bridge, semi-rural Lambeth, and St Paul’s dominating the easterly horizon.

This view is now lost to history as the old Palace of Westminster, target of the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, was burnt down in 1834.

Detail from the panorama Credit: Museum of London

The painting was acquired by the Museum of London with the help of the Art Fund, the Aldama Foundation, Michael Spencer, the Leche Trust and other donors who want to remain anonymous.

It is free to view at the Museum of London from Friday, March 15..

Detail from the panorama of London in 1815 Credit: Museum of London