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Fine Art Print : Holland House library after an air raid BB83_04456
Fine Art Prints from Historic England
Holland House library after an air raid BB83_04456
HOLLAND HOUSE, Kensington, London. An interior view of the bombed library at Holland House with readers apparently choosing books regardless of the damage. Photographed in 1940. The House was heavily bombed during World War II and remained derelict until 1952 when parts of the remains were preserved.
Holland House, originally known as Cope Castle, was a great house in Kensington in London, situated in what is now Holland Park. Created in 1605 in the Elizabethan or Jacobean style for the diplomat Sir Walter Cope, the building later passed to the powerful Rich family, then the Fox family, under whose ownership it became a noted gathering-place for Whigs in the 19th century. The house was largely destroyed by German firebombing during the Blitz in 1940; today only the east wing and some ruins of the ground floor still remain.
In 1940, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth attended the last great ball held at the house. A few weeks later, on 7 September, the German bombing raids on London that would come to be known as the Blitz began. During the night of 27 September, Holland House was hit by twenty-two incendiary bombs during a ten-hour raid. The house was largely destroyed, with only the east wing, and, miraculously, almost all of the library remaining undamaged. Surviving volumes included the sixteenth-century Boxer Codex.
Holland House was granted Grade I listed building status in 1949, under the auspices of the Town and Country Planning Act 1947; the Act sought to identify and preserve buildings of special historic importance, prompted by the damage caused by wartime bombing. The building remained a burned-out ruin until 1952, when its owner, Giles Fox-Strangways, 6th Earl of Ilchester, sold it to the London County Council (LCC). The remains of the building passed from the LCC to its successor, the Greater London Council (GLC) in 1965, and upon the dissolution of the GLC in 1986 to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Today, the remains of Holland House form a backdrop for the open air Holland Park Theatre, home of Opera Holland Park. The YHA (England and Wales) " London Holland Park" youth hostel is now located in the house. The Orangery is now an exhibition and function space, with the adjoining former Summer Ballroom now a restaurant, The Belvedere. The former ice house is now a gallery space
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 1326365
© Historic England Archive
1940s Blitz Destruction Historic People War Time Ww 2
20"x16" (+3" Border) Fine Art Print
Step into the past with our exquisite Fine Art Print of Holland House Library by Historic England Archive. Witness the poignant moment of resilience and determination as readers continue to select books amidst the ruins of the bombed library, captured in 1940. This evocative image transports you back in time, showcasing the enduring power of knowledge and human spirit. Adorn your walls with this stunning piece of history and let it inspire you every day.
20x16 image printed on 26x22 Fine Art Rag Paper with 3" (76mm) white border. Our Fine Art Prints are printed on 300gsm 100% acid free, PH neutral paper with archival properties. This printing method is used by museums and art collections to exhibit photographs and art reproductions.
Our fine art prints are high-quality prints made using a paper called Photo Rag. This 100% cotton rag fibre paper is known for its exceptional image sharpness, rich colors, and high level of detail, making it a popular choice for professional photographers and artists. Photo rag paper is our clear recommendation for a fine art paper print. If you can afford to spend more on a higher quality paper, then Photo Rag is our clear recommendation for a fine art paper print.
Estimated Image Size (if not cropped) is 50.8cm x 40.6cm (20" x 16")
Estimated Product Size is 66cm x 55.9cm (26" x 22")
These are individually made so all sizes are approximate
Artwork printed orientated as per the preview above, with landscape (horizontal) orientation to match the source image.
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In the heart of Kensington, London, stands the remnant of Holland House, a once grand Elizabethan-style mansion that bore witness to the tumultuous events of the 20th century. Originally built in 1605 for diplomat Sir Walter Cope, the house later became a noted gathering place for Whigs in the 19th century under the Rich and Fox families. During the dark days of World War II, Holland House played an unexpected role as a symbol of resilience and determination. In 1940, just a few weeks after King George VI and Queen Elizabeth attended the last grand ball at the house, the German air raids, known as the Blitz, began. On the night of 27 September, Holland House was hit by twenty-two incendiary bombs during a ten-hour raid, leaving the house largely destroyed. Miraculously, the east wing and almost all of the library remained undamaged. Despite the devastation, the library continued to serve its purpose as a sanctuary for knowledge. Amidst the ruins, readers could be seen choosing books, undeterred by the destruction around them. This poignant image, captured in 1940 by BB83_04456, encapsulates the indomitable spirit of the people during wartime. Holland House was granted Grade I listed building status in 1949, and the remains stood as a burned-out ruin until 1952 when it was sold to the London County Council. The building passed through various hands until it was taken over by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Today, the remains of Holland House serve as a backdrop for the open-air Holland Park Theatre, home of Opera Holland Park. The former Orangery is now an exhibition and function space, and the former Summer Ballroom is a restaurant. The former ice house is a gallery space. The history of Holland House continues to inspire and captivate, standing as a testament to the enduring power of the written word and the human spirit.
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