Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Government Art Collection

Little is known of the early life of Edward Rooker. He was a pupil of engraver Henry Roberts, in High Holborn, while simultaneously pursuing a career in acting. Between 1748 and 1749, he engraved drawings after designs by Inigo Jones and Christopher Wren. He appeared on stage at the New Wells Theatre in 1749 and, by 1752, had joined the company at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. His career as an engraver continued with plates for William Chambers’ ‘Designs of Chinese Buildings’ (1757) and James Stuart’s ‘Antiquities of Athens’ (1762). He collaborated with Paul and Thomas Sandby on ‘Six London Views’, and again with Thomas for illustrations to Tasso’s ‘Jerusalem Delivered’. He died unexpectedly, at around the time of 50th birthday.
Paul Sandby, painter, printmaker and drawing master, was born in Nottingham. He was taught by his elder brother, architect and draughtsman Thomas Sandby, and followed Thomas in working at the Board of Ordnance. In 1747, he was made official draughtsman to the military survey of the Scottish Highlands, following the 1745 Jacobite rebellion. During the Gordon Riots of 1780, he was employed to record the military encampments in London. He was chief drawing master at the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich from 1768 to 1796. Sandby was involved in the establishment of the Society of Artists and was a founder member of the Royal Academy. His made numerous views of Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park, over a period of around 50 years.

Places

England, London

Subjects

yoke, carriage, book, topography, townscape/cityscape, dog, horse, man, woman, girl, 18th century costume, dress, coat, waistcoat, breeches, basket, path, house, brick wall, shutters, courtyard, window, bench

Materials & Techniques

engraving, coloured engraving

Artist

Edward Rooker (1712 - 1774)
Paul Sandby (1731 - 1809)

Title

Scotland Yard with Part of the Banqueting House

Series Title

Six Views of London

Date

1766

Medium

Coloured engraving

Dimensions

height: 37cm, width 52.2cm

Acquisition

Origin uncertain

GAC number

15451