Accession No

6190

Brief Description

hand-coloured engraving, The East Prospect of Dr Flamstead's House in Greenwich Park, by I. Simon, English, 1744

Origin

England; London; The White Horse

Maker

Simon, I. [engraver] Overton, Henry [printer]

Class

prints; astronomy

Earliest Date

1744

Latest Date

1744

Inscription Date

Material

paper (paper); wood; glass

Dimensions

unframed: height 410mm; width 550mm (framed: height 590mm; width 730mm)

Special Collection

Provenance

Purchased from Christie’s South Kensington, 85 Brompton Road, London, SW7 3LD. Fine Scientific, Medical and Engineering Works of Art sale. Lot 101. Purchased on or before 17/05/2007.

Inscription

‘The East Prospect of Dr Flamstead’s House in Greenwich Park’ [bottom centre]
‘I. Simon sculp.
Printed and sold by Henry Overton at the White Horse without Newgate. London’ [bottom right]

Description Notes

Framed hand-coloured copper-plate engraving of John Flamsteed’s house in Greenwich park; by I. Simon; published by Henry Overton, London. English, 1744. Central fold to engraving.

Another example of this print found for sale is described as being ‘after Johannes Kip’s Le Nouveau Theatre de Grand Bretagne’ - see notes field.

Frame is 20th century and print has previously been removed from frame.

Condition good; complete.

References

Events

Description
This print shows the view across Greenwich park, London towards the Royal Greenwich Observatory. The observatory was commissioned in 1675 by King Charles II and John Flamsteed was appointed to the role of Astronomer Royal -- astronomer to the king. Flamsteed’s task was to observe the starts and improve the measurements of their positions.

Flamsteed’s measurements were needed for improving the accuracy of navigation at sea. With Britain’s trade ships sailing around the world, improvements in navigation were extremely important for the British economy. Hence, although Flamsteed’s observations resulted in many new astronomical discoveries, this was not the primary motivation behind founding the observatory; it was commissioned to achieve highly practical, commercial benefits.

As well as housing the observatory, the building shown in this print was also the official residence of the Astronomer Royal. John Flamsteed lived and worked there until his death in 1719. By this time the building was already known as ‘Flamsteed's House’ and the name is still in use today.

17/12/2007
Created by: Ruth Horry on 17/12/2007

FM:46658