London by Thomas Kinkade ~ Published July, 2005 - The thatched roof cottages of rural England have charmed and intrigued me; the splendid manor houses scattered throughout the countryside have tantalized me with their taste of noble living. But I have never before painted the great English metropolis, the bustling, light filled jewel of nostalgia and history that is London.

London is the rarest of contemporary cities – at once rich with picturesque landmarks and invigorated by modern energies. I set up my easel at just this spot to capture its two faces. I painted within the shadows of Westminster Bridge, ancient and massive, while a regal sunset illuminated the reflections of the House of Parliament and the Tower of Big Ben in the silvery water of the Thames.

A stately old tugboat passed by as I painted and I decided to include it in my London. I had some fun with the river, hiding the periscope of a vintage submarine in its depths – perhaps an outgrowth of my recent readings regarding London’s participation as our ally during the war my father fought in – World War II. And does that bottle bobbing under the bridge hold a love letter to my wife Nanette, or is it instead a love letter to this glorious city? - Thomas Kinkade

Key Points

1. In London, one overlooks the fabled Westminster Bridge, the oldest bridge still in use in London. The actual bridge is painted green for the Commons benches of the Houses of Parliament.

2.Looking across the river from the South Bank, the viewer faces the Palace of Westminster and the clocktower that houses the 13-ton bell known as Big Ben. The Palace of Westminster contains the two Houses of Parliament, the seat of British government – the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

3. Thomas Kinkade has long held a fondness for the United Kingdom, and has lovingly painted these British landmarks at sunset, one of the most beautiful times of day. He has also placed 15 N’s hidden within the painting in honor of Nanette, his wife.

4. The same scene has been painted countless times by artists of reknown – one of the most recognized was Claude Monet who also chose to paint the scene as daylight waned and the sky filled with color.

5. Thom has also chosen to include another popular British icon in his painting of London. The red doubledecker bus has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the city.