Drury Lane Theatre

John Bluck|Thomas Rowlandson|Auguste Charles Pugin|Rudolph Ackermann, London

1808 · Hand-colored etching and aquatint · Drawings and Prints

The first theater on this site opened in 1663 and burned in 1672, to be replaced by a structure probably designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The latter was demolished in 1791 and replaced an expanded and improved building designed by Henry Holland, its interior seen here. After opening in 1794 this structure, which was thought fireproof, survived only until 1809 when it too succumbed to flames, shortly after this print was published. A building designed by Benjamin Wyatt replaced it.

Artist

John Bluck|Thomas Rowlandson|Auguste Charles Pugin|Rudolph Ackermann, London

Date

1808

Medium

Hand-colored etching and aquatint

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917