Royal Observatory Greenwich Drawings and Paintings : View of Wren's Observatory from the front; artist unknown

Royal Observatory Greenwich Drawings and Paintings

<p>Watercolour painting of Flamsteed House, Greenwich from the park. This painting by an unknown artist appears to be unfinished, as the middle window of the second floor is missing. </p> <p> Flamsteed House was built as the Royal Observatory by Sir Christopher Wren in 1675-1676. The large Octagon Room on the first floor originally served as the observing area, with the dwelling rooms of the Astronomer Royal on the ground and basement levels below. This image shows Flamsteed House in the 18th century. Deer have roamed free in Greenwich Park since the time of Henry VIII when they were introduced for hunting.</p> <p> If the building shown to the left of the Observatory is Halley's Quadrant House, this would date the image between 1726 (when the building was proposed) and 1750 (when it was demolished by Bradley). Bradley's Meridian Building was positioned differently (East to West) and also had a different shape, as can be seen in the drawing at <a href='/view/MS-RGO-00116-00003-00015/1'>RGO 116/3/15</a>.</p>