A fine pair of prospects of London and Westminster from south of the river, both with an English title and a key of buildings underneath. London also has the title in French and Latin in a banderole held up by cherubs; Westminster is only French.
The London prospect celebrates the rebuilding of the City following the Great Fire of 1666. It shows from St Clement's Church on the Strand east to the Tower, with most of the key given to churches rebuilt by Christopher Wren and his associates. St. Paul's Cathedral is shown as complete except for the scrolled parapet above the East apse; St Clement Danes lacks the upper stages added by Gibbs in 1719-20, and the Custom House is still Wren's, despite burning down in 1718. London Bridge is covered in buildings, with the severed heads of criminals clearly visible on the gatehouse. On the riverside is the 'Steelyard', base of the Hanseatic League in London since at least 1282, as rebuilt after the Great Fire. Moored off Bankside and flying the City flag is the 'Folly', a barge adapted as a floating concert room, usually anchored near the Savoy. The Royal Arms under the barderole date from 1707-14.
The Wetminster Prospect shows from Peterborough House (later Grosvenor House) on Milbank east to St Clement Danes, with the old Houses of Parliament, the Palace of Whitehall, a view down St James's Place to Buckingham House, Somerset House and the Savoy. One of the very few survivors of the redevelopment of the riverside is shown, The York Water Gate, still in place but now 150 yards from the Thames in Embankment Gardens.
These exceptional prospects were published in the 'Nouveau Theatre de la Grande Bretagne ou Description Exacte des Archevechez & Evechez d' Angleterre', a monumental, four-volume series of plates of British cities, towns, ports and country houses.
Additional information
Dimensions | 1180 × 500 mm |
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Cartographer | |
Date | 1720 |
Extra Info | La Ville de Londres. Prospectus Londinensis. A Prospect of the City of London. [&] La Ville de Westmunster. A Prospect of Westminster. |
Publication | London: John Smith, 1720. Pair of engravings, each on two sheets conjoined, as issued, 490 x 1180mm & 500 x 1150mm. |
Condition | A good example. |
References | – |