18th century view of the City from the Thames

A fine aquatint etched by Joseph Constantine Stadler after Joseph Farington, showing Blackfriars Bridge from the Thames water level, with St Paul's Cathedral towering above. The bridge is the one built by Robert Mylne using Portland stone, opened in 1769 and demolished 1860. Joseph Farington (1747-1821) was a painter who is best remembered for his landscapes for John Boydell's 'History of the River Thames', which regarded as a landmark English colour-plate book. This print is on a far grander scale, allowing much finer detail.