A View of the Tower of London, Supposed on his Majesty's Birthday

Samuel Scott, ca. 1702–1772

1771

Oil on canvas

Yale Center for British Art

A busy river scene depicts numerous sailing vessels and barges, with the Tower of London visible in the background under a cloudy sky. This is the only painting Samuel Scott exhibited at the Royal Academy, shown there in the year before his death. The view is taken from the south bank of the Thames, looking across to the Tower of London. Immediately to the left of the mast in the foreground is the Monument to the Great Fire of London, and to its left, St. Paul’s Cathedral. The vessel in the foreground is a Dutch galliot, about to take on a cargo that includes barrels, bales, and jars. The naval frigate moored alongside the Tower fires a salute in recognition of the king’s birthday, likewise acknowledged by the Royal Standard flown from the White Tower. The image th