The Crystal Palace has been called "proto-modern architecture," and was widely imitated in Europe and America. At the time, however, it was not even accepted as architecture. Pugin called it a "glass-monster," Carlyle a "big glass soap bubble," and Ruskin a "conservatory." Ruskin's term, albeit somewhat mischievous, held an element of truth: the building had been designed by Joseph Paxton, using his experience in building a gigantic greenhouse for the Duke of Devonshire. Other plans had been entered in competition, but at a point of impasse Paxton published a drawing of his building, and it was accepted with enthusiasm. In the building, pioneering use was made of cast-iron structure, pre-fabricated units, and a precursor of the glass curtain wall. After the exhibition closed, the building was re-erected in South London, and continued in active use until its destruction by fire on November 30, 1936.
. . . you had better keep to building green-houses, and I will keep to my churches and cathedrals.
Augustus Pugin, mediaevalist
architect,
to Joseph Paxton, architect of the Crystal Palace
". . . when the House of commons affirmed, in July, 1850, by a majority of 166 votes against 47, that the Building, whatever it might be, should be removed at the end of the season of 1851, it was a large brick building that was contemplated. Will the House of Commons, in July, 1851, with Mr. Paxton's beautiful Palace in existence, and object of admiration to all Europe, affirm its decision of 1850, and insist that the fairy structure shall be removed?"
"The Great Exhibition." Printed in oil colours by G. Baxter, the inventor and patentee, 11 & 12, Northampton Square. Licenses granted to work the process.
KSRL: Gift of Mary A. Grant
A rather unusual view of the Crystal
Palace, showing much of the surrounding area in Hyde Park. George Baxter
(1804-1867) obtained a patent in 1835 for the reproduction
of paintings in colour with oil inks from a succession of wood
or metal relief blocks, over a base printed from a copper or steel intaglio
late or a lithographic stone. This example of his work was printed from
ten colour blocks. It was published in May of 1851 and sold
at Baxter's stall in the Exhibition itself. The print was awarded
an Honorable Mention by the jury of the Exhibition.
A note in the Illustrated London
News for May 17, 1851, reads: "The Crystal Palace in colours.-Mr.
Baxter, with whose success in oil-colour printing the public are familiar,
has just produced an effective view of the Great Palace of Industry,
showing the south side and east end. By this process he has cleverly
rendered the glass; and the picture is altogether a pleasing memorial
of the World's Wonder."
Baxter produced nearly 400 different prints, some of them for insertion in books, but mostly mounted like this one for separate sale. He died at Sydenham, thirteen years after the Crystal Palace had been re-erected there.
The Illustrated London News, July 19, 1851. "The Great Exhibition.-The Transept, looking South."
KSRL: G498
This view shows the Osler Fountain (constructed from four tons of pure crystal glass), and two of the elms which were preserved following widespread expressions of public concern at the possibility that they might be cut down.
The Illustrated London News, May 3, 1851. "Inauguration of the Great Exhibition building, by Her Majesty. May 1, 1851."
KSRL: G498
The Prince Consort reads an address to the Queen on behalf of his fellow Commissioners. The Duke of Wellington was 82 that day: he can be seen to the left of the Queen. The procession through the building that followed the Opening Ceremony was led by Joseph Paxton, the Architect; Charles Fox, the Contractor; C.H. Wild and Owen Jones, Superintendents of the works. Also to the fore was Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the distinguished engineer and architect, and member of the Building Committee.
Lane's telescopic view of the ceremony of Her Majesty opening the Great Exhibition of All Nations. Designed by Rawlins. London, C.A. Lane, 15th August 1851.
KSRL; Gift of the Kenneth Spencer Library Special Collections Fund