Artwork
Old water tower at York Buildings, Whitehall

Old water tower at York Buildings, Whitehall is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Farington. It dates from 1791 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. A pen and ink drawing from 1791 captures the old water tower at York Buildings in Whitehall.
About this work
Overview
A pen and ink drawing from 1791 captures the old water tower at York Buildings in Whitehall. The artist signed and dated the work, which presents a detailed scene of the tower and its surroundings.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a tall, irregularly shaped water tower beside a river, with boats moored at the dock and a crane nearby. The background is filled with buildings and trees under a lightly clouded sky, suggesting a everyday scene from late 18th-century London.
Technique & Style
The artist employed fine lines to convey texture, such as the wood grain of the boats and the roughness of the tower's walls. The use of hatching and cross-hatching techniques creates shading, adding depth to the scene. This style was typical for topographical drawings of the time.
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