3-101-152 - "Royal Academy of Arts, London"/Heritage Images

Charterhouse - Founder's Tomb, c1880. The London Charterhouse is a historic complex of buildings in Clerkenwell, London, dating from the 14th century. It was originally built as a Carthusian priory, founded in 1371. Following the priory's dissolution in 1537, it became one of the great courtyard houses of Tudor London. In 1611, the property was bought by Thomas Sutton, a businessman and "the wealthiest commoner in England", who established a school for the young and an almshouse for the old. 'This costly tomb built mainly of alabaster, was not completed till 1615. The columns and arch shown in the photograph will convey a sufficient indication of the character of the architecture of the Chapel. The tomb is placed in a corner so dark that it needed a great deal of perseverance and all of Mr Dixon's skill to secure a satisfactory negative of this subject. "The boys already in their seats, with smug fresh faces and shining white collars; the old black-gowned pensioners are on their benches; the Chapel is lighted, and the Founder's tomb, with its grotesque carvings and monster heraldries, darkles and shines with the most wonderful shadows and lights. There he lies, Fundator Noster [ie Sutton], in his ruff and gown, awaiting the great Examination Day".' Description by Alfred Marks.