Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee

This watercolour shows crowds gathering in Trafalgar Square on the evening of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee celebrations, 21st June 1887. The drawing captures the atmosphere of jubilation and excitement that pervaded the capital during this time. Here Londoners and tourists of varying social backgrounds celebrate and mingle freely together in a Square decorated with bunting and flags. Hardy's colourful depiction of the Square, does, however, contrast with the opinion of the Illustrated London News who commented 'the south side of Trafalgar Square was rather feebly decorated with flags attached to Venetian masts'.