London Plate II [The Tower and Pool of London]

London: William Daniell, 1804. Aquatint, tinted by hand, drawn and engraved Daniell. A fascinating and very rare image 'splendidly drawn, quiet and restrained in... colouring, [which] stand[s] at the high-water mark of aquatint in England' (Hardie & Clayton)

This view is taken, from a high vantage point, from beside the Tower of London, looking westwards across the Pool of London with its mass of shipping of all sizes, to the bridges and Westminster beyond. The silhouette of the dome of St.Paul's Cathedral is visible on the horizon just to the left of the Tower. 'After the publication of the Oriental Scenery William Daniell had clearly made up his mind that he would not be associated solely with India, and that his prowess as a draughtsman and as engraver in aquatint could well be employed for plates dealing with home scenery... in 1804-5, he made a start with a magnificent set of six views of London which show him at his very best as artist and engraver... These large views splendidly drawn, quiet and restrained in their colouring, stand at the high-water mark of aquatint in England' (Hardie & Clayton)

Cf. M.Hardie & M.Clayton 'Thomas Daniell... William Daniell' in Walker's Quarterly Nos.35-36, 1932, p.30; cf. T.Sutton The Daniells (1954) p.113.