One of Peter Paul Rubens’s most important commissions—his monumental painting for the Whitehall Ceiling at Banqueting House in central London—is reopening to the public following extensive renovations and conservation work. The Rubens ceiling, dating from the early 17th century, remains the largest surviving work by the Flemish Old Master artist still in its original location in Europe.
A lift installed at Banqueting House will offer visitors step-free access to Rubens’ painted ceiling for the first time, making the Main Hall wheelchair-accessible. “To help preserve the condition of the historic Rubens ceiling for future generations, new air-source heat pumps installed onto the roof, combined with a re-routing onto the Whitehall District heating system, will significantly improve the temperature and humidity control of the building,” says a statement from the UK charity Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) which oversaw the building upgrade. A new sustainably sourced English Oak floor has also been installed at the historic venue.
Zoe Roberts, senior project manager at Historic Royal Palaces, outlines the conservation efforts in an online film, saying that the work includes “wall painting stabilisation in the Wolsey room and stabilisation of historic plaster work”. Project funders include the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Wolfson Foundation according to HRP’s most recent annual report (the renovation cost is undisclosed).
The ceiling was commissioned by Charles I in 1629 who walked under the paintings on his way to the scaffold in 1649 to be executed. The three main canvases, installed in the hall in 1636, depict The Union of the Crowns, The Apotheosis of James I and The Peaceful Reign of James I. After an initial two-year delay, Rubens received £3,000—the equivalent of £218,000 today—and a gold chain as payment for his work.
The Banqueting House was closed for the duration of the renovation project which started in May 2024, says a Historic Royal Palaces spokesperson, apart from being reopened to the public for a limited time last November. It will also be accessible on 20 March, 3 April, 1 May, 29 May and 26 June for sneak previews ahead of a full opening scheduled for August.
