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Nightingale Monument

Edward Burney

1800

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

British Romanticism Romanticism Early 19th Century Architectural

Dominant colour

Nightingale Monument is a 1800 watercolor by Edward Burney, a British Romanticism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Edward Burney
When & what style?: 1800 · British Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows a small stone monument with three figures carved into it. The top figure stands inside an arched niche, holding another person who’s seated. Below them, a third figure kneels, reaching upward as if helping. The monument sits on a detailed base with swirls and blocks, and the whole scene is set against a plain background. The figures look like they’re made of stone, but this is actually a watercolor drawing. The artist used soft shading to make the carvings look three-dimensional. Next, look up Edward Burney to see more of his work.

The story of this work

Overview

The watercolour depicts the Nightingale Monument in Westminster Abbey, created to honor Lady Elizabeth Nightingale, who died in 1731 at age 27. The monument, erected in 1761, incorrectly records her death year as 1734 and includes inscriptions for her husband, Joseph Gascoigne Nightingale, and their son, Washington. Edward Burney’s work includes the artist’s signature and a reference number. The monument is located in St Michael’s chapel, off the north transept of the abbey.

Read the full account in the museum source.