The Lion Brewery on the Thames (1860)
Technique: Giclée quality print
Recommended by our customers
More about this artwork
David Roberts' sketch "The Lion Brewery on the Thames" provides a unique glimpse into the industrial landscape of London in the mid-19th century. This preliminary drawing, executed with a quick and delicate hand, captures the architectural and industrial details of the Lion Brewery building which once stood prominently along the bustling banks of the River Thames.In this piece, Roberts' adept use of pencil sketching highlights the grand structure of the brewery. The building is majestically adorned with evenly spaced windows and an impressive façade that overlooks the river. Atop the building, a sculpted lion statue stands as a striking feature, likely symbolizing the strength and prowess of the brewery industry during this era. The sketch also intriguingly includes elements of the busy riverside, possibly hinting at the vital role the Thames played in trade and transportation for the brewery.Characterized by soft lines and subtle details, this drawing not only documents an important economic venture but also reflects the industrial mood of the period. Roberts’ skill in capturing the essence of the scene with minimal yet effective strokes adds an atmospheric quality to the sketch, inviting viewers to ponder the daily activities that might have taken place in and around the brewery.
Delivery
Returns
David Roberts (24 October 1796 – 25 November 1864) was a Scottish painter. He is especially known for The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia, a prolific series of detailed lithograph prints of Egypt and the Near East that he produced from sketches he made during long tours of the region (1838–1840). These and his large oil paintings of similar subjects made him a prominent Orientalist painter. He was elected as a Royal Academician in 1841.