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Exterior of London Bridge Theatre

Kennedy

1806

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

British Romanticism Romanticism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Exterior of London Bridge Theatre is a 1806 watercolor by Kennedy, a British Romanticism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Kennedy
When & what style?: 1806 · British Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows a small wooden theater with three buildings side by side. The middle one has a sign that says "THEATRE" and smaller signs reading "Boxes & Pit" and "Gallery." Blue doors and windows line the front, and a few people stand near the entrance. The sky is pale with soft clouds, and the whole scene looks a bit worn. Notice the bright posters on the theater doors—one says "Wild Boy." These were likely ads for plays or performers. The buildings look simple but busy, like a real street in an old town. Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more works like this.

The story of this work

Overview

The watercolour from 1806 shows the exterior of the London Bridge Theatre, with children playing in the street outside. Signs above the doors indicate separate areas for seating: "Boxes and Pit" and "Gallery." The theatre, which stood near the Globe Tavern in Bedale Street, was demolished around 1856–60 to make way for railway arches built by the South Eastern Railway.

Read the full account in the museum source.