Painted by Anna Zinkeisen. In 1758 the Society of Arts offered prizes for what were known as 'ship's blocks', i.e. scale models of ships, in order to 'ascertain by experiments the principles on which a good vessel is founded'. Water resistance and resistance to rolling were two of the main qualities it was desired to test. It was not until 1761 that sufficient models had been submitted for the prizes but that year six entries, 4 32-gun frigates and 2 74-gun ships, were tried at Peerless Pool, near Old Street, in the City of London. 26,500 copies sold.
Exhibitions
Exhibitions
Exhibitions
Designed by William Chambers in 1759
From the illustration in Pictorial Times of the distribution of the Society's awards by Prince Albert 10/6/1844. This image show the alterations carried out in 1814-1815. The skylight had been enlarged and the palm branch ornaments removed.
Painting displayed in the Great Room
This room was the research room and is now the Romney Room.