Charles Green (1840-1898) THE GORDON RIOTS Signed with initials and dated 1896, inscribed on label verso, watercolour heightened with white 20 x 37cm. Exhibited: Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, 'Sketch Exhibition' 1896, No. 1.
In 1780 London rioted against the so called favourable treatment that the Irish had received after the Papists Act 1778, which had been intended to reduce official discrimination against British Catholics started by the Popery Act 1698. Lord George Gordon argued that the new act would allow Catholics to join the British army and enable treason and as he was head of the Protestant Association he led the protest which ended in some of the worst riots ever seen in London with days of rioting and looting including attacks on Newgate Prison and the Bank of England. On 2nd June 1780 a huge crowd, estimated at 50,000 strong, assembled and marched on the Houses of Parliament proclaiming 'No Popery!'.
Charles Green's little masterpiece really captures the mood of the mob and the times, and is probably the finest painting ever painted of this historic event and one which isn't covered in many school history books!
There are also copies of newspaper reports at the time stating what a fine painting it was after being exhibited at The Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour!
It can also be seen on the Wikipedia page for the 'Gordon Riots'.
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