Follower of Samuel Scott

Samuel Scott treated this view on no less than twelve occasions, although none of those versions are recorded as including a depiction of the Royal Barge that we see here.

The popularity of this view of Old London Bridge is perhaps due to the bridge's uncertain fate at this time. The bridge was six hundred years old, its houses were falling down, its arches unnavigable and its road too narrow to bear the London traffic. It was the only footway across the Thames, but finally in 1746 the Lord Mayor called an enquiry to consider its future, and after ten years of debate it was decided to remove the houses and widen the road. The decision provoked strong reactions; Londoners disliked change. Scott's own treatments of this emotive view were often painted in a noticeably sombre tonality with hints of menacing storm clouds and a suggestion of the coming twilight.¹

1. R. Kingzett, 'A Catalogue of the Works of Samuel Scott', Walpole Society, no. 48, London 1982, pp. 43–48.