Lyons Inn, Strand

This watercolour portrays the former Inn of Court called Lyon's Inn. It was located near Wych Street in Holborn and was recorded as existing as early as 1413. It was dissolved and demolished in 1863 after falling into disrepute.

Very little is known about James Lawson Stewart who exhibited watercolours in various London galleries between 1883-1889. He died in c. 1918 and towards the end of life was employed to copy prints of London; the accuracy of some of the locations should therefore be questioned. This work is based on a work by an artist called Swain of 1804

The Museum was gifted a large selection of watercolours featuring locations which appeared in Dickens's works in 1934 and a set of cigarette cards was issued by R and J Hill Ltd in 1926 and 1934 entitled Historic Places from Dickens Classics which featured watercolours by Stewart.