This view of the royal palace and estate of Hampton Court, just outside London in Surrey, is essentially a celebration of property. Ownership of land formed the basis of wealth, and the monarchy was a major landowner. The inclusion of a castle on the right, possibly intended as Windsor Castle, adds an element of fantasy to the scene, while the stormy sky creates drama.Griffier was born in Amsterdam and moved to London when he was about twenty-one. Here he received more training in landscape painting from a fellow Dutch emigré artist, Jan Looten.