Thomas Rowlandson

Pen and grey ink and watercolour, on the original mount
21.5 x 30.5 cm.; 8 1⁄2 x 12 inches, mount size 26.8 x 35.8 cm.; 10 1⁄2 x 14 inches

Provenance
Michael Tollemache Ltd., London;
Private collection, U.K., purchased from the above, until 2023

This view from 1820s showing elegant figures perambulating is taken from the west end of the reservoir in Green Park which used to be in the northern corner of the park next to Piccadilly on the site of the present-day underground station.

The towers of Westminster Abbey designed by Hawksmoor can be seen to the left of the composition and a little further along the four towers of St John Smith Square emerge above the trees. To the left of the Abbey are the buildings of Queen’s Walk. King’s Palace, now called Buckingham Palace can be seen to the left of the large oak tree in the middle of the drawing.

Another smaller version of this subject is in the collection of the British Museum and is dated circa 1824. (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1880-1113-2011 ).