Wenceslaus Hollar (1607-1677)

The Thames Below Westminster Pier

London, about 1638

Pen and brown ink

14.6 x 40.1 cm

This is an example of Hollar’s comparatively rare drawings as opposed to his etchings of English scenery.

This view is taken looking upstream. The buildings are marked as ‘Lambeth House’, the residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, ‘Parliament House’ and ‘Westminster Hall’. Whilst in England between 1636 and 1644 he received many commissions from Lord Arundel, of which this work is one, and made accurate documentary records of the areas surrounding his London home as well as their journey around Europe.

Purchased 1954 (No. 54.3)

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