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The London Coliseum (1827 - 1875)

 Organisation

Dates

  • Existence: 1827 - 1875

Biography

The London Coliseum was built in Regent's Park in 1827.

The Coliseum was the brainchild of artist Thomas Hornor to display his panoramic view of London, which he had painted from sketches he took of the city from the top of the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral while the dome was being repaired between 1821 and 1822. The building was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. The 360° painting was completed in November 1829 and was the largest ever created, totalling over forty thousand square feet in area.

The building of the Coliseum was so expensive that Hornor fell into financial difficulties and a group of trustees took over its ownership. By 1843, the Coliseum was in declined and was sold at auction. After remodelling, it was reopened as a sculpture gallery, which functioned until 1855. From this point the Coliseum changed ownership several times until it was demolished in 1875.

Found in 8 Collections and/or Records:

Bill Barnes Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0172
Scope and Contents

Programmes, posters and photographs mainly related to the Poole family's travelling Myriorama show.

Dates: 1881 - 2017

Cambridge Terrace and the Colliseum Regent's Park Engraving, 5 January 1826

 Item
Reference code: 178V20.14
Scope and Contents

Hand coloured engraving of a view of Cambridge Terrace and the Coliseum, painted by Thomas H. Shepherd and engraved by R. Acon, from across the street showing buildings and people walking along the pavement, a carriage pulled by a horse and two men riding horses. Published by Jones & Co., 3 Acton Place, Kingsland Road, London.

Dates: 5 January 1826

Chester Terrace, The Coloseum, St Andrews Place and Park Square Engraving, c1827 - 1828

 Item
Reference code: 178V20.11
Scope and Contents

Black and white view of the Coliseum from Chester Terrace, showing St Andrew's Place and Park Square by Regent's Park, people walking on the pavement and horse pulled carriages on the road as well as men riding horses drawn by Thomas H. Shepherd.

Dates: c1827 - 1828

Coliseum Regent's Park Engraving, Pubished 1837

 Item
Reference code: 178V20.12
Scope and Contents

Hand coloured engraving drawn by Roberts and engraved by John Cox of the Coliseum from across a road with people walking along the pavement and carriages pulled by horses on the road as well as people riding horses. Originally produced for John Woods’ History of London: Illustrated by Views in London and Westminster, first published in parts 1837-1838 and subsequently reissued.

Dates: Pubished 1837

Original Artworks, c1821 - 1869

 Series
Reference code: 178V20
Scope and Contents

Small groups of artist prints depicting scenes of music hall and variety entertainment, magic and clowning and watercolour of battleships. Also prints of the London Coliseum and other archicture in Regent's Park.

Dates: c1821 - 1869

The Coliseum and Part of the Lake Regent's Park Engraving, c1828 - 1830

 Item
Reference code: 178V20.13
Scope and Contents

Black and white engraving drawn by Thomas Hosmer Shepherd and engraved by W. Tombleson showing a view of the Coliseum behind some trees, in the distance from a lake with ducks and a dog.

Dates: c1828 - 1830

The Coliseum, Regent's Park Engraving, Published 27 April 1827

 Item
Reference code: 178V20.9
Scope and Contents

Hand coloured engraving drawn by Thomas H. Shepherd and engraved by H. Wallis showing the Coliseum from across a road with people walking along the pavement and a carriage pulled by four horses on the road as well as men riding horses and a dog.

Dates: Published 27 April 1827

The Coliseum, Regent's Park Engraving, Published 21 April 1828

 Item
Reference code: 178V20.10
Scope and Contents

Black and white engraving drawn by Thomas H. Shepherd showing the Coliseum from across a road with people walking along the pavement and a carriage pulled by four horses on the road as well as men riding horses and a dog.

Dates: Published 21 April 1828