The Embankment, London

Description

THE EMBANKMENT, LONDON

Etched by Arthur L. Cherry

Early C20th

An early facsimile reproduction (probably made by the Cherry family) of an original etching by Arthur L. Cherry, looking north towards the Victoria Embankment in London. Arthur Cherry (1885-1947) was an etcher and painter who lived in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Read more about the Cherry brothers of St. Albans.

The early C20th print is a view towards Waterloo Bridge taken from the Embankment Pier and includes notable London landmarks such as Cleopatra’s Needle, the Victorian Gardens and the Savoy and Cecil Hotels. Waterloo Bridge was a granite toll bridge opened to pedestrians and traffic in 1817, which had nine arches. However, due to constant erosion, it was replaced in 1945 with a new bridge designed by Sir Gilbert Scott (son of George Gilbert Scott). The cantilevered spans were now clad in Portland stone and the bridge was Grade II listed in 1981.

There were several attempts to reclaim the marshy land of the River Thames in the Chelsea and Victoria area, but in 1862 Sir Joseph Bazalgette designed a retaining wall on the north side at the exit of the main West London sewer. Granite for the wall was brought from Lamorna Cove in Cornwall by Thames barges. A new area was created on the inward side of a roadway and included four pleasure gardens with statues and these became known as the Embankment Gardens. 

This is an original collectable print and is in a good clean condition. The pencil signature has some fading. It is presented in an ivory conservation quality mount and framed with a black and gold wood frame with acrylic glazing. Price – £40.00.

Approximate dimensions are:

Mount window: 110 x 150 mm

Frame overall size: 240 x 270 mm