The Opening of London Bridge by William IV, August 1st

A view taken from the middle of the river looking towards the north bank. The opening ceremony is the focus of the painting, with the Monument and the Church of St Magnus the Martyr seen on the left hand-side. King William and Queen Adelaide arrive in the state barge escorted from Somerset House with livery barges. A pavilion with the Royal Standard where an opulent banquet was held, can be seen on the right hand-side. The new bridge that was replacing the 600 year-old London Bridge, was built in stone and incorporated a series of five semi-elliptical arches. Over half a million spectators lined the river banks to watch their arrival. The new London Bridge was constructed between 1824 and 1831 to the design of John Rennie. The building work itself was supervised by Rennie’s son, also named John.
Clarkson Frederick Stanfield was commissioned to paint the opening of the New London Bridge. Stanfield was a renowned maritime painter and worked as scene-painter at the Royalty Theatre in Wellclose Square. He was also a founder member of the Society of British Artists. King William IV had seen some of Stanfield’s painting on display at the Royal Academy. In fact, this painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1832.