The Great Fire of London
Historical Context
De Loutherbourg painted this dramatic reconstruction of the Great Fire of London (1666) in 1797. His experience designing theatrical fire effects at Drury Lane gave him unique expertise in rendering conflagration on canvas. A French-born painter who transformed British theatrical design before turning to spectacular landscape, battle, and industrial scene painting, he was one of the first artists to paint the ironworks and factories of the Industrial Revolution.
Technical Analysis
The composition is dominated by the lurid fire glow consuming the old city, with the silhouette of old St. Paul's visible through the flames. De Loutherbourg's mastery of firelight creates a convincing urban catastrophe.
_-_A_Sea_Piece_-_55-1871_-_Victoria_and_Albert_Museum.jpg&width=400)
.jpg&width=400)
