St George's Church, Hanover Square

Built between 1721and 1724, St. George's Church was designed by the architect John James following an Act of Parliament to erect new churches in the capital. The scheme, Fifty London Churches, was planned to furnish the growing urban population with places of worship.

St. George's, situated near Hanover Square in West London, was the site of many high society weddings. The 18th century composer George Frederich Handel worshipped at the church, which now houses the annual Handel Festival.

In this watercolour by the artist Thomas Malton, groups of Londoners are shown walking near the colonnades of the church or talking close by. A carriage makes its way down the street while a woman sits on the pavement opposite the church. The watercolourist and draughtsman Malton came from a family of artists. As a teacher of perspective, he taught, among others, the young J. M. W. Turner. A hundred of Malton's drawings were engraved in aquatint for his 'Picturesque Tour through London and Westminster' which was published in 1792.