The Queenhithe Mosaic
July 24, 2021
Queenhithe is a natural inlet of the Thames in the City of London, it means ‘Queen’s harbour’ and is named after Queen Matilda who granted a charter for the use of the dock at the beginning of the twelfth century. This is just one of two thousand years of historical events illustrated in a twenty metre mosaic installed upon the river wall at Queenhithe.
Commissioned by the City of London and paid for by 4C Hotel Group, it was designed by Tessa Hunkin and executed by South Bank Mosaics under the supervision of Jo Thorpe – and I recommend you take a stroll down through the City to the river, and study the intricate and lively detail of this epic work for yourself.
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Indeed it is very beautiful to look at when walking along the Thames path.
Informative too!
Wow! What an epic! I can’t wait to see it in the flesh…
I enjoyed the foto’s of all the beautiful mosaics about the history from London
I was introduced to this by Gordon and Caroline Haynes and love it. I have taken family visitors there and a group of friends. You see something new each time. It’s lovely and definitely worth a visit.
It’s the first improvement to Queenhithe for many a decade! It was once at the heart of the paper trade, and the London base of my favourite Victorian papermaker and philanthropist T H Saunders – the building to the left of the dock in the lead photo here has his name: http://www.apollo-magazine.com/englands-history-in-photographs-highlights-from-picturing-england/
What an incredibly beautiful piece of work. I love how history is intertwined with the hithe’s natural history; creatures and plants that presumably have existed there at all points in time.
Extraordinary design and execution!
I don’t know how long it would take me to walk by this mosaic because each element requires a lot of investigation–‘look how they made that eye!’ ‘oh, those plants!’ and so on, for hours of delight.
A packed lunch would be needed for the walk.
Your posts about these gifted mosaic masters are some of my all-time SL favorites — and that’s saying a mouth full. Every one of their projects has been designed and executed with
incredible sensitivity and graphic élan. The skill full interpretations of type, images, motifs, borders, etc is a tribute to the ancient art of mosaic — and yet this installation is so
fresh and contemporary. A beautiful contributi0n to public art — I envy those who can stroll over and take a look in person. In the meantime, thank you for these beautiful photos — and thanks for shining a light on these amazing artisans. “LONDON PRIDE” indeed!
Your great tradition of illustrators such as Ravilious, Bawden, David Gentleman, and others are present in this work — yet it is totally unique and distinctive. Wonderful.