
THE BIG
CITY
Dan Llywelyn Hall, Pomp and Circumstance Adversus, 2023
WHAT? The Big City
WHERE? The Guildhall Art Gallery, Guildhall Yard, Basinghall Street, London EC2V 5AE
Free or pay what you can
WHEN? Now until 30th July
WHY GO? For a majestic flourish. There’s nothing like a full-on ceremonial occasion to showcase London at its most glorious; the brilliantly orchestrated coronation being as grand as it gets on a monumental scale.
And numerous famous artists have recorded these majestic events past and present for posterity.
Welsh artist Dan Llywelyn Hall, who painted the Queen's funeral procession, was commissioned to capture the King’s coronation on the historic day and positioned himself in Trafalgar Square to soak up the atmosphere and frame the immediacy of the occasion.
The resulting, ‘Pomp and Circumstance Adversus ’ painting of the State Coach being pulled by Windsor grey horses is the latest addition to a glorious display of monumental landmark moments in London’s history.
Alongside large scale paintings of cathedrals and banqueting halls, are more contemporary paintings of birds-eye city views and towering Brutalist housing blocks that every Londoner will identify.
IN THE KNOW Along with housing the City of London's vast art collection, the Guildhall Art Gallery proudly boasts a Roman amphitheatre under its vaults (also free with gallery visit ).
Partly viewed from the art gallery, it affords a thrilling glimpse of London's history.