2-888-241 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Marlborough House, Pall Mall, [London], 1850. Paintings put on public display in Marlborough House. 'The change with respect to these pictures is decidedly for the worse. In the [National Gallery] they could, at least, be seen; at Marlborough House an antique gloom is thrown over them by the shadows from the deep windows, not at all favourable to the development of their merits of colour. The whole collection occupies the suite of rooms on the ground-floor. The two first rooms are devoted to the National Gallery excerpts, and the rest to the Vernon Collection...The history of the mansion is curious: Marlborough House was built in 1709-10, by Sir Christopher Wren, for John Churchill, the great Duke of Marlborough, on ground leased by Queen Ann to the Duchess...Wren was employed, to vex Vanbrugh'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.