Chatsworth

The Painted Hall

The upper part of the hall has not been changed since it was painted in 1692-4 with scenes from the life of Julius Caesar by Louis Laguerre (1663-1721), but the ground floor and stairs have been altered several times. The marble floor replaced stone in 1779 and was relaid by the 6th Duke in 1834. He inserted three French windows into the courtyard in the 1820's. Before that there was a painted wainscot along the west wall and it must have been very dark. The staircase has been altered twice since the 1st Dukes twin curved stairs were built.

The architect Sir Jeffry Wyatville (1766-1840) designed a single flight and matching galleries along the east and west walls in 1833. They were demolished and replaced by the present stairs and single gallery, designed by W.H Romaine-Walker for the 9th Duke of Devonshire in 1912. The gilt ironwork was copied from the balustrade wrought (1689) by the French smith Jean Tijou on the Great Stairs above, leading to the second floor.

Three of the four flower paintings are probably by Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer (1636-99), the fourth is signed by Jakob Bogdany (1660-1724).

Over the fireplace the 6th Dukes Latin inscription, translated, reads 'William Spencer Duke of Devonshire inherited this most beautiful house from his father in the year 1811, which had been begun in the year of English liberty 1688, and completed in the year of his bereavement 1840'.

The bereavement refers to the early death of his beloved niece Blanche, Countess of Burlington, the wife of his heir.