John Bowles

A View of Westminster Bridge from Lambeth

16.5 x 11 inches

An etching on copper with strong, original hand colour; published by John Bowles in Cornhill and Carington Bowles in St. Paul's Church Yard, London circa 1760.

A very famous view of Westminster Bridge with Westminster Abbey, Westminster Hall and St. Margaret's Church to the left and the spire of St. Martin's just visible in the centre of the image. The artist is standing with his back to Lambeth Palace on the south bank of the Thames.

It would not be until 1802 that William Wordsworth would publish his famous eulogy to London "Composed upon Westminster Bridge" but already in 1760 at the time of this print the scene was both majestic and picturesque. The bridge was eventually opened in 1750 and in the words of Wordsworth:
Earth has not anything to show more fair;
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
The city now, doth like a garment wear
The beauty of the morning, silent, bare.