The Old Royal Naval College

 

• The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich will create London’s largest and most intricate painting-by-numbers to mark Sir James Thornhill’s 340th Anniversary
• The giant canvas measuring 2.5m x 1.66m is made up of over 7500 pieces and depicts the central image in the Painted Hall – otherwise known as “the UK’s Sistine Ceiling.”
• Members of the public encouraged to help paint the record breaking canvas
• The commission also re-launches the ORNC’s £1 Million Future Fund appeal. Until June 2016 every gift made to the fund will be doubled by HLF/DCMS
• PRESS EVENT:  Including tour with key spokespeople and broadcast opportunities on Thursday 23 July, 10:30 - 12.30
• RSVP: ornc@kallaway.com
• Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London SE10 9NN

The Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, is set to create London’s largest ever painting-by-numbers to celebrate seminal British artist Sir James Thornhill’s 340th Anniversary.

The giant 2.5m canvas featuring over 7,500 shapes will depict Thornhill’s masterpiece, The Painted Hall ceiling, which is about to undergo its biggest transformation since it was created over 300 years ago.

Set in the heart of Maritime Greenwich, the Old Royal Naval College (ORNC) is one of London's most famous landmarks. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, this magnificent world heritage site attracts 1.8 million visitor each year. The famous Painted Hall by Sir James Thornhill (painted between 1708 and 1727), the largest painted interior in Britain, has been described as the greatest piece of decorative painting in England and ‘the Sistine Chapel of the UK’.

Members of the public are invited to celebrate the magnificent Baroque style of Sir James Thornhill through this collaborative project painted by members of the community, which celebrates and promotes the fundraising efforts for the conservation work that will ensue in 2016.

Will Palin, Director of Conservation at the ORNC said:
“We are immensely proud to preside over one of Britain’s national treasures, The Painted Hall. We hope that inviting members of the public to join us in celebrating the work by helping us to complete Europe’s biggest paint-by-numbers will bring people closer to Thornhill’s masterpiece. It took Thornhill more than 19 years to paint this beautifully ornate painted interior and we’re attempting to complete our very own version in just three days!”

“This celebration comes at a crucial time for the ORNC as we kick off the next phase in our conservation work which will enable millions of people to continue to enjoy The Painted Hall for years to come.”

Phase two of the Painted Hall conservation project, which is already underway, will conserve the remaining 3,700 square meters of the Hall and will be delivered over the course of the next three years. As part of the conservation project, from 27 July, visitors to the ORNC will be able to enjoy a dedicated exhibition showcasing the work which is being done of the painting. More details at http://www.ornc.org.

The ORNC are aiming to raise £500,000 having been awarded a £1m Catalyst Endowment grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of a matched funding scheme.

Notes to editors

SCHEDULE FOR PRESS TOUR
Join us for an exclusive morning at this international heritage site, at the start of a major conservation project to preserve one of the most important buildings in the European baroque tradition.

Schedule: 
10:25 Meet at Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre
10:30 – 11:30 Guided tour of the ORNC for press - meeting at Discover Greenwich welcome desk at 10:25
11.30 Photo call of painting-by-numbers in action in the Painted Hall
12:00 Refreshments in the Admiral’s House with Will Palin and Sarah Duthie.

 

Breakdown of Schedule:

10:25   Meet at the Discover Visitor Centre

10:30 Tour of Grounds and the Chapel 
The Chapel of St Peter and St Paul is a neo-classical masterpiece by James ‘Athenian’ Stuart and William Newton. Featuring a Samuel Green organ and an altarpiece painted by Benjamin West, it is one of the finest eighteenth century interiors in existence.

11:30   Photo call at the Painted Hall

The Painted Hall is the greatest piece of decorative painting in England and has been described as ‘the Sistine Chapel of the UK’. The walls and ceilings were painted by Sir James Thornhill between 1708 and 1727.

Europe’s biggest paint-by-numbers of the lower hall ceiling will be on display in the Painted Hall and will mirror Sir James Thornhill’s masterpiece in celebration of his Anniversary. Will Palin, Director of Conservation will be present for the photo call and available for interviews

The upper hall of the Painted Hall was conserved in 2013 during the first stage of the project. Phase II aims to conserve the remaining 3,700 square meters of the lower hall, including the ceiling, and is due to start in autumn 2016 with completion in 2018.

12:00
Press are welcome for tea and coffee at the beautiful Admiral’s House offering the chance to interview key spokespeople from the ORNC including Will Palin, the Director of Conservation

 

About the Old Royal Naval College:

The Old Royal Naval College (ORNC) in Greenwich was established as the Royal Hospital for Seamen by King William III and Queen Mary II in 1694.

Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, it is one of the most important ensembles in European baroque architecture. From 1705, the Royal Hospital provided modest, wood-lined cabins as accommodation for retired sailors, housing as many as 2,700 residents at its peak in 1814. The last naval pensioners left in 1869, when the site became home to the Royal Naval College, an officers’ training academy, until 1997. When the Navy left, an independent charity was established to conserve the site for present and future generations, and create enjoyment, learning and unique cultural experiences for everyone.

Today this historic landmark is open to the public and is the home of three unique and free to visit attractions; the Painted Hall, the Chapel, and the Discover Greenwich visitor centre.

The Painted Hall is the greatest piece of decorative painting in England and has been described as ‘the Sistine Chapel of the UK’. The walls and ceilings were painted by Sir James Thornhill between 1708 and 1727.

The Chapel of St Peter and St Paul is a neo-classical masterpiece by James ‘Athenian’ Stuart and William Newton. Featuring a Samuel Green organ and an altarpiece painted by Benjamin West, it is one of the finest eighteenth century interiors in existence.

The ORNC is free to all visitors and is open daily from 10.00-17.00. http://www.ornc.org/

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