Art

Two attractive steel engravings depicting London viewed from St. Paul's cathedral and St. Bride's church. The combination of the architect's eye for accuracy and the draughtsman's skill in composition is clearly displayed in this fine pair of prints which combine to provide, from opposed viewpoints, a vertiginously spectacular panorama sweeping across London. Apprenticed to an architect in 1819 aged 15, Allom attended the Royal Academy Schools as an architectural student from 1828, and was one of the founder members of the Institute of British Architects in 1834. His obituary in the Art Journal stated that "in his three-fold capacity of architect, artist and draughtsman few men were more widely known in the art world". As a student he supported himself by making drawings for albums of steel-engraved views, and "It is upon about 1500 designs for albums of topographical steel-engravings that his more prominent and lasting reputation rests" (ODNB). Steel engravings. Uncoloured. Image size: 30 x 56.5 cm each. Presented in handmade silver gilt frames. Framed size: 84 x 65 cm. Very good condition.