Fresh Wharf, London Bridge

By the 18th Century, London was the busiest port in the world. However, with exception of Marlow and his teacher, Samuel Scott, this aspect of the city was largely ignored by artists at that time. Fresh Wharf was the most westerly of the quays between London Bridge and the Tower of London. Marlow's painting shows the view from the wharf looking along the wall of the church of St Magnus Martyr and across London Bridge towards St Paul's Cathedral. Although the view appears convincing, it is not quite accurate. The foursquare tower of St Michael's, Cornhill, for instance, which appears over the rooftops, could never have been seen from this point.