London. Plate VI.

Westminster seen from the embankment at Somerset House before the construction of Waterloo Bridge. London Plate VI. Drawn, Engraved & Published by William Daniell, No. 9 Cleveland Street, Fitzroy Square, London, Jan.y 1, 1805. Coloured aquatint. 450 mm x 790 mm (17¾ x 31"). Minor stain along left margin. Westminster Bridge and Abbey from Somerset House Terrace, one of William Daniell's 'Six Views of the Metropolis of the British Empire'. William Daniell RA (1769-1837) was one of the few artists of the period who was as skilled as an aquatinter as he was a painter. It was common practice to add engraved or etched lines to give shape to the tonal effect of the aquatint; this plate is pure aquatint, with no added lines, not even on the rigging of the boats. The margins have been given a grey wash in imitation of watercolour presentation of the period.