Bankside

In 1951 the artist Grace Golden wrote and illustrated a book entitled 'Old Bankside'. It included some of her sketches which were made during the 1920s, including various views of the area seen from Southwark Bridge.

In this detailed etching, symbols of industry can be seen, including barges and cranes and the OXO factory in the background. Golden's sketch gives an impression of the appearance of Bankside before it was modernised.

In the preface to 'Old Bankside', Golden explained that 'as a child, I could see the River Thames curving between London and Blackfriars Bridges. The bank that joins them on the Surrey side is known as Bankside and towards it I feel the pride of personal possession, for not only was it my earliest sketching ground, but a prolonged prying into its history has endeared it to me.'

Although Golden was born in east London, she moved with her family to the City end of Southwark Bridge Road at a young age. From her new address, she could observe the working Thames River and it featured in many of her early sketches.