The Beginning of Victorian Murals: A Study on the Cartoons Competition Held in the Palace of Westminster in 1843

A landmark competition held in 1843 to adorn the Palace of Westminster with murals marked the inception of Victorian mural painting, despite its hasty organization. Analysis of archival reports from the Palace of Westminster reveals that while the event aimed to promote pure British art, it lacked adequate preparation for a nation-scale initiative. The competition's constraints—limiting subjects to British history and literature by Milton, Spencer, and Shakespeare—highlighted both the ambition and shortcomings of early Victorian efforts to elevate national artistic standards. This study underscores the significance of such competitions in shaping Victorian mural history, distinct from broader art narratives, while also exposing the foundational gaps in British art that motivated these state-led endeavors.

Rhi, M. K. (2024). The Beginning of Victorian Murals: A Study on the Cartoons Competition Held in the Palace of Westminster in 1843. The Journal of Art Theory & Practice, 38, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.15597/jksmi.25083538.2024.38.001