Artwork

Old water tower at York Buildings, Whitehall

Old water tower at York Buildings, Whitehall, by Farington, 1791
Old water tower at York Buildings, Whitehall, by Farington, 1791

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.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Farington

Artist

Farington

Farington (1747–1821) was an artist, born in Leigh.