Penitentiary, Millbank, Westminster, fine early steel engraving c1829

by Shepherd, Thomas Hosmer

Antique print of 19th century Westminster Penitentiary (Gaol).

Original steel engraving by James Tingle (1801-1858), after the drawing by topographical illustrator Thomas Hosmer Shepherd (1792-1864), for Metropolitan Improvements; Or London In The Nineteenth Century published in London c.1828.

The son of an architectural draughtsman, Thomas Hosmer Shepherd (1792-1864) was a watercolour artist of views, characterized by his attention to detail and usually incorporating life-like scenes with people, nature, carriages and horses. Many of his topographical views became the basis for steel engravings for publication. Shepherd illustrated architecture in London, and later in Edinburgh, Bath and Bristol. He often worked for Frederick Crace, who employed him to paint London’s old buildings prior to their demolition; but Shepherd’s first acclaim came when he was commissioned by architect and writer James Elmes (1782­1862) to produce an illustrated record of almost two hundred of London's most interesting structures for Metropolitan Improvements; Or London In The Nineteenth Century published in London by Jones and Company between 1827 and 1831.

Page size 135 x 190mm (5 3/8 x 7 1/2 inches)