Scotland-Yard with Part of the Banqueting-House

This print of Scotland Yard and Banqueting House, near Whitehall, was engraved by Edward Rooker, after a work by the artist Paul Sandby.

Engraving has a long history which dates back to 15th century Germany when goldsmiths used engraved plates to record their designs. However, it was the 18th century artist William Hogarth who first established the idea of producing paintings with the intention of engraving them. The print market was a lucrative one and, by the end of the century, London was recognised as an international trader in prints. Advertised and sold in coffees shops and auction houses across the city, prints were a recognisable commodity in the capital.

As well as being a painter of topographical scenes and landscapes, Sandby was also recognised for his satires of contemporary society and for his work as an engraver. During the course of his varied career, he depicted views such as this, which juxtapose individuals with buildings in the city.

Until 1890, Scotland Yard was the Headquarters of the Metropolitan Police. The headquarters were relocated to Victoria Embankment and known as New Scotland Yard. While the background of the print is dominated by architectural structures, the foreground has examples of daily occurrences and human activity. A horse and cart has pulled up on the left while two men converse nearby and a man, woman, child and dog make their way along the path.