Tothill Fields looking southwest, London

This view is from Marsham Street, Tothill Fields, a marshy tract of land lying between Millbank and Westminster Abbey, looking south west towards Chelsea and the Royal Hospital to the right . A windmill is just visible in the centre of the image, of which, down river, this belonged to the lead and paint manufactory. The tent pitched in the fields was used by Westminster School.

Tothill Fields was notable for its pest houses erected during the Great Plague to house victims, shown on the left ,and also had the original Bridewell prison on its lands. This land was built over soon after this watercolour was produced in 1794 (coloured in 1816). Vauxhall Bridge and its approach road were constructed with Millbank prison completed in 1816 and the Westminster School playing fields enclosed by Vincent Square. The watercolour represents a useful record of what the area formerly looked like.

The view can be pinned down precisely with the help of Horwood's Plan of London, Westminster and Southwark 1792-1799 (A4, B4 and C4).

This highly coloured watercolour indicates William Capon’s (1757-1827) abilities. He was a scene painter for Drury Lane Theatre which was rebuilt in 1794. He was also employed in decorating Ranelagh Gardens and the Italian Opera House. He had a varied career, beginning as a portrait artist, then a stage painter and finishing as an architectural draughtsman. Capon painted many views of London, several of Tothill fields.