Charterhouse - Founder's Tomb, ca.1880

From: Henry Dixon & Son

RA Collection: Art

"This costly tomb built mainly of alabaster, was not completed till 1615. The columns and arch shown in the photograph will convey a sufficient indication of the character of the architecture of the Chapel. The tomb is placed in a corner so dark that it needed a great deal of perseverance and all of Mr Dixon's skill to secure a satisfactory negative of this subject. "The boys already in their seats, with smug fresh faces and shining white collars; the old black-gowned pensioners are on their benches; the Chapel is lighted, and the Founder's tomb, with its grotesque carvings and monster heraldries, darkles and shines with the most wonderful shadows and lights. There he lies, Fundator Noster, in his ruff and gown, awaiting the great Examination Day." (Thackeray, in The Newcomes.)

AUTHORITIES:- Malcolm, Londinium Redivivum, vol.i Chronicles of Charterhouse,, by a Carthusian (W.J.D. Roper), 1847. "Carthusian Monastery of London," by Archdeacon Hale, in Transactions of London and Middlesex Archæological Society , vol. iii. Charterhouse, Past and Present, by the Rev. W.H. Brown, LL.D., 1879."

The above description, by Alfred Marks, was taken from the letterpress which accompanies the photographs.