London: Interior of the Rotunda at Ranelagh

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Buy a print or image licence

You can purchase this reproduction

If you have any products in your basket we recommend that you complete your purchase from Art UK before you leave our site to avoid losing your purchases.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

This painting shows the inside of the famous rotunda (demolished in 1805) at Ranelagh Gardens in Chelsea. Ranelegh opened in 1742 as one of London’s most prestigious pleasure gardens, and its main attraction was this vast circular building in which fashionable society could attend balls and listen to music.To the right, an orchestra performs, catching the attention of a small crowd. We look down on the elegant clientele, which, along with the light that floods the space, emphasises the building's loftiness. Canaletto's theatrical lighting highlights the curvature of the building and sparkles on the delicate chandeliers. We aren't just watching the concert -- we watch the men, women and children scattered across an enormous stage.Canaletto painted this work in 1754, towards the end of his nine years in England.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

London: Interior of the Rotunda at Ranelagh

Date

1754

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 47 x W 75.6 cm

Accession number

NG1429

Acquisition method

Bought, 1894

Work type

Painting

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

View venue