A unique masterpiece from the golden age of painting
A unique masterpiece from the golden age of painting
9 April 2021. Following the death of His Royal Highness, there will be changes to opening hours for the gardens at Hampton Court Palace and Hillsborough Castle. For further information, please read our FAQs page
Updated 12 June. As a result of the Coronavirus global pandemic, we have taken the difficult decision to close Banqueting House until further notice. We apologise for any disappointment this may cause. Please read our statement
The ceiling of the Banqueting House is the only surviving in-situ ceiling painting by Flemish artist, Sir Peter Paul Rubens.
The canvases were installed in the hall in 1636. The three main canvasses depict The Union of the Crowns, The Apotheosis of James I and The Peaceful Reign of James I.
The ceiling was probably commissioned by Charles I in 1629-30. It was one of the King's last sights before his execution on a scaffold outside the Banqueting Hall in 1649.
Rubens was not deterred by the large scale of his commission. In a 1621 letter to James I's agent, he wrote, 'I confess that I am, by natural instinct, better fitted to execute very large works than small curiosities.'
Indeed, the ceiling canvasses are large - individually, two of them measure 28 x 20ft (approximately 9 x 6m) and two others measure 40 x 10ft (approximately 13 x 3m).
When the canvases were first unrolled on the floor, Inigo Jones and Rubens' assistants realised with mounting horror that they were too big to fit in the ceiling.
Although both Belgium and England measured in feet and inches, each country used a different length for a foot. Drastic moderations had to be made on site to make them fit.
It appears that Rubens never saw his works inside the Banqueting House. He wrote to a friend, 'In as much as I have a horror of courts, I sent my work to England in the hands of someone else.'
After an initial two-year delay, Rubens received £3,000 (the equivalent of £218,000 today) and a heavy gold chain as payment for his work.
Follow our conservators as they examine Rubens' ceiling during conservation work completed in 2018 in this short film.
Get an artists' eye view of Rubens' ceiling, down to the level of individual brush strokes added during its creation in the 17th century.
Closed
Banqueting House
Included in palace admission (members go free)
See The Triumphs of Caesar, one of the great treasures of the Royal Collection, in the Mantegna Gallery at Hampton Court Palace.
Open 20 May
Hampton Court Palace
10.30-13:00 and 14.00-17.00
Included in palace admission (members go free)
Enjoy the beautiful State Apartments and private rooms of William III and Mary II at Hampton Court Palace as part of your visit.
Open 20 May
Hampton Court Palace
Included in palace admission (members go free)
Our wonderful collection of gifts and souvenirs are all inspired by the Banqueting House.
From £5.99
Discover books inspired by the palaces in our care, learn about fascinating periods of British history, including our official palace guide books, children's books and more.
From £10.99
In our home section you will find stylish lifestyle home accessories and furnishings, including cushions, tapestries, ornaments and much more which will add those finishing touches to make your room complete.
From £9.99
