Lot 719: James Lawson Stewart (1829-1911)

James Lawson Stewart (1829-1911)
The Painted Chamber, Westminster (illustrated); The south side of the Painted Chamber; The Jewel Tower, old Palace of Westminster; and two street scenes of old Westminster
all signed with monogram (lower left) and inscribed with titles (on the reverse)
pencil and watercolour with touches of bodycolour, unframed
9 5/8 x 13 5/8 in. (24.4 x 34.6 cm.); and smaller

The old Palace of Westminster was built by Edward III, and served as one of the main royal residences until the time of Henry VIII, who moved the court to Whitehall. Subsequently the Palace was used as the Houses of Parliament until the disastrous fire of 1834 which destroyed nearly the whole complex bar Westminster Abbey and Westminster Hall.
The Painted Chamber was perhaps one of the greatest losses to England's heritage. The hall was once used as the monarch's living quarters and was painted in beautiful, colourful medieval frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible, ancient Kings of England and virtues destroying vices, complete with accompanying French text.