The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations took place in Hyde Park, London, from 1 May to 15 October 1851. It was the first in a series of World's Fair exhibitions of culture and industry that became popular during the 19th century The Great Exhibition was organised by Prince Albert and Henry Cole. A special building, nicknamed the Crystal Palace, was designed by Joseph Paxton to house the exhibition. It took the form of a massive glass house that encompassed several trees in the park, as can be seen in this picture. This painting shows the transept of the building looking south on the morning of 1 May 1851, before the arrival of Queen Victoria. A Yeoman of the Guard stands on either side of the gates, made in Coalbrookdale, Shropshire, which now divide Hyde Park from Kensington Gardens. Through the gates can be seen a crystal fountain and the baldacchino (canopy) under which the royal party would stand.

Signed and dated: David Roberts R.A. 1851. Inscribed on the back with the name of the artist and the subject.