There are 35 paintings by 20 different artists hanging on the walls of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. This is one of two square paintings in the Dining Room which depict the interiors of Windsor Castle. Opposite them and of the same dimensions, there are two painted scenes of the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Windsor Castle was particularly important for the reigning monarchs: not only did Queen Mary spend much time refurbishing and decorating this residence, but in 1917 it also gave its name to the newly formed House of Windsor. A view of Windsor Castle from across the river decorates the Doll’s House Entrance Hall.

Though primarily a portraitist, William Bruce Ellis Ranken was also known for his meticulous interior studies of stately homes, royal residences and ecclesiastical architecture. In April 1922, Ranken was given a tour of Windsor Castle by Queen Mary herself, and together they decided the subject matter for these two small pictures.

This one depicts the topography of Windsor Castle’s so-called Van Dyck Room. Ranken’s watercolour of the room, 450305, seems to have been made in preparation for the Dolls’ House commission, although ultimately he had to chance the proportions of the composition. Photographs of the Van Dyck Room and its paintings from the early 20th century  show the accuracy of Ranken’s study.