This painting shows the enormous scale of the Great Fire. Oil on canvas, artist unknown, c.1700.
The Great Fire of London swept through the city in September 1666, devastating many buildings including 13,200 houses, 87 parish churches, The Royal Exchange and Guildhall. St. Paul’s Cathedral, built during the middle ages, was totally destroyed. The death toll was six people, yet a great many others died through indirect causes.
The cost of the fire and rebuilding London was 10 million pounds.
