A View of London from Wandsworth

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Government Art Collection

The printmaker, William Ellis, was the son of an engraver of writing, Joseph Ellis (died 1793). William was born in London and apprenticed to his father’s stationary company from about the age of 13. He later worked in the studio of the printmaker William Woollett (1735–1785). In 1785 he married Elizabeth Smith, also a printmaker, who may have been related to fellow pupil of Woollett, Samuel Smith (c.1809-1879). The couple frequently worked on projects together, including Aiken’s ‘Description of the Country… Round Manchester’. Elizabeth Ellis had already died when William passed away in 1810. An engraving ‘by the late Mr William Ellis’, showing a view of Exeter, was published to raise money for the couple’s five orphaned children.

Places

England, London

Subjects

wagon, topography, townscape/cityscape, wheat, cow, river, field, fence, house, windmill, farm, cathedral

Materials & Techniques

engraving, coloured engraving, etching, coloured etching

Artist

Charles F Tomkins (1798 - 1844)
William Ellis (1747 - 1810)
Elizabeth Ellis

Title

A View of London from Wandsworth

Date

Medium

Coloured etching and engraving

Acquisition

Purchased from Baynton-Williams, February 1979

GAC number

14422