TOWER OF LONDON COMMISSION

In 1999 Stephen B. Whatley was commissioned by Historic Royal Palaces and The Pool of London Partnership to create a series of 30 paintings to celebrate and promote Her Majesty’s Tower of London and The Pool of London. The entire series of works depicting the history and iconic locations of the Tower of London and its environs was completed within 8 months in 2000.Many of the paintings were painted on location inside and around the Tower, whenever possible; other works were inspired by drawings made on location. The artist was inspired to seek out original historic sources, from which to work, when painting the historic figures associated with the Tower’s rich history.

In Spring 2001, the 30 paintings for the Tower of London were reproduced permanently on steel vitreous enamel panels lining throughout Tower Hill Underpass, the main portal entrance to the Tower of London, from Tower Hill Station: a permanent public art exhibit on display daily in London. In June 2004, the original oil paintings were exhibited in the Banqueting Hall of HM Tower of London, for an official reception marking the completion of major refurbishments to the Tower of London and its environs – including Tower Hill Underpass – at which Stephen B. Whatley was presented to HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in recognition of his work.