Richard Blandford shows London as represented in art from the C17 to C21, arranged by district it enables us to see the changes – to London and to artistic styles. This is best shown in the illustration of two drawings with a 400-year gap between them – Visscher’s 1616 Panorama of London and Robin Reynolds with Visscher Redrawn in 2016. This book presents a good overall view of London and its portrayal in paint, but I must ask why one of the most beautiful of London street views, George Scharf’s Monument from Crooked Lane hasn’t been included and sadly there is not one single Atkinson Grimshaw who surely deserves a place for his pictures of Hampstead and of the River. However, one of my favourite London paintings, Sir William Logsdail’s St Paul’s and Ludgate Hill graces the cover and although two personal favourites are missing I’ve found many other painters and pictures to enjoy. ~ Sue Baker
Despite London's tumultuous history - the rise and fall of Empire, attacks from above in two world wars, relentless expansion into the surrounding villages and suburbs - it nevertheless becomes clear that many of the city's landmarks remain surprisingly constant.
This sumptuous visual history explores London as depicted by artists over the last few hundred years. Although the first city of London was established in the Roman period, the story of London in art really begins in the 17th century, with the rise of the panoramic city view as a painting genre, and continues to this day. Despite London's tumultuous history - the rise and fall of Empire, attacks from above in two world wars, relentless expansion into the surrounding villages and suburbs - it nevertheless becomes clear that many of the city's landmarks remain surprisingly constant.
Richard Blandford has studied and taught art history and has written articles for the art journals Frieze and Elephant. He is also the author of two novels and two short story collections.
