The Inauguration of the Great Exhibition, 1 May 1851
1851 Royal Collection Trust, UK
About this artwork
This painting captures the spectacular inauguration of the Great Exhibition on May 1, 1851, held within the revolutionary Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London. It depicts a vast gathering of royalty, dignitaries, and the public amidst the grandeur of the iron and glass structure, adorned with various exhibitions and a large central tree.
Did you know?
The Great Exhibition of 1851 was a landmark event, showcasing the industrial prowess and cultural achievements of nations worldwide in a purpose-built structure, the Crystal Palace. This massive, prefabricated iron and glass building was an architectural marvel of its time, designed by Joseph Paxton, and was later relocated and tragically destroyed by fire in 1936. The exhibition attracted over six million visitors and was a triumph of Victorian ingenuity and ambition.
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The Inauguration of the Great Exhibition, 1 May 1851
David Roberts, 1851
