3-074-971 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Royal Palace of Laeken, Brussels, destroyed by fire: the Conservatory, 1890. 'The Palace was beautifully situated on an eminence in a large park not far from Brussels...the natural beauty of the grounds is enhanced by the presence of an orangery, a theatre, pavilions, and other ornamental structures. The Austrian Archduke Charles Albert was the designer of the Palace, which was erected in 1782...After the annexation by France, Napoleon I. occasionally resided at the Palace. Since the accession of the present reigning family, great additions and improvements have been made in the building; many valuable pictures and a great number of art treasures have been added to the collections; and the library was of considerable importance...On New Year's Day...a fire, accidentally caused, broke out in the Royal Palace...which was entirely destroyed...The entrance to the Palace, the grand vestibule, adorned with fine bas-reliefs, the State dining-room, the King's private room, and the conservatory are shown in our Illustrations. We are indebted to a correspondent, Mr. F. Watkins, for the Sketches we have engraved'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.