2-970-225 - /Heritage Images

The Peace Commemoration at Salford - the Townhall, 1856. Celebrating the end of the Crimean War - crowds marvel at a '...painting, 36 ft. by 14 ft....In its centre stands Peace...All the figures are well drawn, the drapery being painted in light and brilliant colours for the purpose of showing well by gaslight...upon the frieze "Peace" is displayed in large letters formed by gas jets...[with] the initials "V.A." and "N.E." all in large letters, and lighted by gas...The paintings were designed and executed by Mr. H. C. Whaite...The gas devices and arrangements...were executed by Messrs. Howard and Atkinson...The effect of the paintings at the Townhall and the various gas devices, when fully lighted, was excellent. The paintings were not transparencies; they were shown by means of the light from the devices, and of rows of burners surrounding the paintings, but concealed from the spectators'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.