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A View of Westminster Bridge from Lambeth / Vüe du Pont de Westminster, prise de Lambert

London: F. West, circa 1745, but later. Engraving, printed on wove paper. Very good condition apart from a 5/8" tear in the right margin and a light water stain in the top right corner of the sheet. Sheet size: 15 1/4 x 21 1/2 inches. Plate mark: 11 x 16 3/4 inches.

A stunning panoramic view of Westminster Bridge as seen from Lambeth, on the south bank of London, possibly from the series "A Collection of Views of old London and its Environs."

Among the Georgian buildings on London's north bank, the imposing Gothic structure of Westminster Abbey is visible as are the spires of the adjacent smaller church of St. Margaret. Further east, one can discern the distinct clock tower of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, which was designed by the Scottish architect James Gibbs and erected in Trafalgar Square in 1721. Spanning the bustling thoroughfare of the Thames and connecting north and south London is the impressive stone overpass Westminster Bridge. Based on a design by the French architect Monsieur Labelye, the bridge is straddled by elegant stone balustrades that are punctuated by fourteen piers. It was constructed between 1739 and 1749 and was the only bridge aside from London Bridge that stood on the Thames during this period. In 1750, it was opened to the public.

Cf. Adams, London Illustrated 1604-1851, pp. 457-60.

Item #13390

Price: $250.00