St Paul's Cathedral, the West Front, London, 1804

This is an original antique copper engraving, uncolored, lettered "St Paul's Cathedral." The cathedral is seen from the west, its two-storied portico of paired columns crowned by a pediment and statues, flanked by the two baroque western towers, with the great dome rising behind. A railing runs along the churchyard in front, carriages and small figures pass along the street, and a row of houses closes the view at the right under a quiet sky. Further buildings and a tree are visible at the far left, and the shading of the stone gives the front a strong sense of depth.

The title is engraved in script below the image. The artist's credit "Rawle Delt" is at lower left and the engraver's credit "Reeve Scpt" at lower right. Beneath the title is the imprint "Published Septr 1. 1804, by Richard Phillips, 71, St Paul's Church Yard."

The plate comes from Modern London; Being the History and Present State of the British Metropolis, printed for Richard Phillips, No. 71, St. Paul's Church-Yard, by C. Mercier and Co., Northumberland-court, Strand, in 1804, and "illustrated with numerous copper plates." Its plates were engraved on copper by several London engravers, each of whom signed his work; this plate was drawn by Rawle rather than by Edward Pugh, who drew many of the other views. The cathedral was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in the early eighteenth century.

A clear architectural view that suits a study, library or collection of church prints.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.