Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1976.7.183
Gallery Label:
Based on the Dutch tradition of scenes of church interiors, this delightful (if slightly wobbly) view east along the choir of Westminster Abbey records a number of comparatively recent improvements. Dean Neile's pews or "prebends' stalls" were built in 1606. The benefactor Dr. Richard Busby paid for the choir to be paved with slabs of black and white marble, work that was completed in 1687. On the north side of the nave (to the left), is the "stately organ gilt" that is chiefly associated with the organists John Blow (1648?-1708), William Croft (ca. 1678-1727), and above all Henry Purcell (1659-1695). The pulpit is built against the southwest corner of the crossing of the choir and transept (to the right). Gallery label for installation of YCBA collection, 2005