Richard & Charles Rosenberg after James Pollard.

The Grand Entrance to Hyde Park.

24 x 18 inches

Aquatint and line engraving by Charles and Richard Rosenberg after james Pollard, published by Messers Fores in London in 1844.

A majestic panorama of the entrance into Hyde Park taken from the south. There was much talk in the late C18th about how to improve the approach into London from the west at Hyde Park Corner. The big hitters of the day, Robert Adam, James Wyatt and Sir John Soane all put forward proposals but it wasn't until the 1820s when Buckingham Palace was built that matters progressed. The Hyde Park Screen, as it was called, was designed by the architect Decimus Burton to be a grand entrance into the park with a monumental arch behind. It would be a stately and fitting way to process from the palace gates into perk itself and remains a ceremonial route to this day.

This print was originally published in 1828 but such was its popularity it was reissued in 1844. It shows how all three archways were utilised by traffic and how pedestrians were able to promenade on a walkway in front. Carriages and gigs share the space with single riders, soldiers, socialites and the odd stray dog!

£1400