Decor of the saloon, showing roundel of Hogarth

Decor in the saloon, showing roundel of Hogarth

Sydney Smirke and George Basevi

Interior decoration by Messrs Sang and Naundorff

1843-45

The old Conservative Club

St James's Street, London

The "encaustic painting on the piers and vaulting" of the saloon (Watkin) includes roundels of such cultural icons as Chaucer, Shakespeare, Raphael (Prince Albert's favourite) and Gainsborough. Hogarth himself was a favourite of Sir John Soane's, with whom Basevi had been a pupil, so naturally gets his place here.

Other Views

  • The old Conservative Club, London
  • Detail of frieze on the façade
  • Entrance
  • Interior of the saloon
  • Corinthian columns and frieze by an interior door (detail)
  • Floor mosaic in the saloon, by John Marriott Blashfield (detail)
  • Looking up at the gallery or upper storey of the saloon
  • Looking up towards the dome
  • Drawing-room ceiling

    • Photograph and text 2008 by Jacqueline Banerjee

    [You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL.]

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