Aerial View of Horse Guards Parade, with River Thames and St Pauls in background

A lithographic view over the roof tops of Pall Mall across to Westminster and the River Thames. This aerial panorama was probably from the viewing gallery at the top of the newly built York Column, Carlton House Gardens. The scene reveals rooftops, church spires, streets, parks, and open spaces. Horse Guards Parade and St James’ Park are shown in the foreground. The dome of St Paul’s is visible on the left with the hills of the North Downs in the far distance. The sinuous shape of the river dominates, distinguishing the grand buildings such as Somerset House in the foreground, from the factories and boatyards of the south bank. Absent from the skyline are the Houses of Parliament which burnt down in 1834. On the river several bridges are prominently featured, with Westminster Bridge on the right and Waterloo Bridge on the left. Since the lithograph was not intended as a representation, there is distortion towards the edges of the print to enable the artist to incorporate numerous features.