John Papworth, the son of a stuccoist, had already served an apprenticeship to a builder and acquired the rudiments of interior design during a year spent with a well-known firm of furnishers and decorators by the time he was eighteen.. He started showing his drawings at the Royal Academy in 1791, and was soon in command of a flourishing business specialising in remodeling houses, and designing gardens, furniture and trophies. It was for his design of a Waterloo trophy that his friends acclaimed him a second Michelangelo leading him to adopt Buonarroti as his second name.
Before his rise to popularity, Papworth had been writing a regular series of architectural notes with illustrations for the well-known London publisher Ackermann. The 76 plates illustrating contemporary aspects of London from Ackermann’s periodical The Repository of Arts, Literature, Science, Manufactures, Fashions and Politics were reissued in volume form in 1816. The majority of plates are aquatints, although a few are line engravings with only an aquatint sky, and are finished in hand-colouring.
The volume proved extremely successful with its clean architectural lines and pale transparent washes and continues to appeal as one of the most attractive works of London in the early eighteenth-century.
Below are a few examples from this collection. Please click on an image to see it in high-resolution with details of the work itself. For the full list of original antique Papworth aquatints, please do contact us.
![Papworth: Berkley Square. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10286] Berkley Square. View of the square designed by William Kent at the end of the 18th century.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp10286w.jpg?w=370&h=253&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Portman Square. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 9" x 5". [LDNp8138] Papworth: Portman Square. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 9" x 5". [LDNp8138]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/LDNp8138w-Copy.jpg?w=370&h=248&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Bullock's Museum.1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp2793] Papworth: Bullock's Museum.1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp2793]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ldnp2793w.jpg?w=370&h=242&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Charing Cross. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 6" x 8". [LDNp4701] Charing Cross. View looking up the Strand.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp4701w.jpg?w=542&h=751&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Somerset House and the New Church, Strand. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10280] Somerset House and the New Church, St Mary le Strand. Viewed from the Morning Post office.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp10280w.jpg?w=678&h=433&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Monument. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 5" x 9". [LDNp4700] Papworth: Monument. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 5" x 9". [LDNp4700]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp4700w.jpg?w=234&h=433&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Blackfriars Bridge. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp8473] Papworth: Blackfriars Bridge. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp8473]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ldnp8473w.jpg?w=614&h=408&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Lansdowne House, Berkley Square. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp7873] Papworth: Lansdowne House, Berkley Square. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp7873]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ldnp7873w.jpg?w=298&h=201&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Cornhill. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp6684] Cornhill. Lombard Street and Mansion House.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/LDNp6684w.jpg?w=298&h=203&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Southwark Town Hall. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 5". [LDNp6830] Papworth: Southwark Town Hall. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 5". [LDNp6830]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/LDNp6830w.jpg?w=295&h=200&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Oxford Street. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp7113] Papworth: Oxford Street. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp7113]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ldnp7113w.jpg?w=295&h=197&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Queen Square. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10287] Papworth: Queen Square. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10287]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ldnp10287w.jpg?w=617&h=401&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Old Bailey. 1818. An original colour antique aquatint. 6" x 8". [LDNp10624] Papworth: Old Bailey. 1818. An original colour antique aquatint. 6" x 8". [LDNp10624]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/LDNp10624w.jpg?w=294&h=432&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Guildhall. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp6237] Papworth: Guildhall. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp6237]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/LDNp6237w.jpg?w=618&h=432&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Royal Exchange. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 6" x 8". [LDNp6221] Papworth: Royal Exchange. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 6" x 8". [LDNp6221]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp6221w.jpg?w=525&h=759&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Royal Menagerie, Strand. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10277] Papworth: Royal Menagerie, Strand. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10277]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp10277w.jpg?w=387&h=250&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Leadenhall Street. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp7341] Leadenhall Street. North view of India House.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/LDNp7341w.jpg?w=387&h=243&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Bridge Street. 1812. An original antique lithograph. 8" x 5". [LDNp8340] Bridge Street. View of the obelisk on the junction of Fleet Street and Ludgate Hill.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LDNp8340w.jpg?w=387&h=258&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Covent Garden Theatre. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10276] Saloon to the Private Boxes.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ldnp10276w.jpg?w=572&h=417&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Custom House. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 10" x 6". [LDNp9638] Papworth: Custom House. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 10" x 6". [LDNp9638]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/LDNp9638w.jpg?w=340&h=197&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Piccadilly. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10281] Papworth: Piccadilly. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10281]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ldnp10281w.jpg?w=340&h=216&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Royal Academy. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10834] (Courtauld Gallery). View of the hall at Somerset House with Apollo Belvedere, the Farnese Hercules and Furietti Centaurs.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ldnp10834w-copy.jpg?w=305&h=215&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Tottenham Court Road. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp7875] Papworth: Tottenham Court Road. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp7875]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ldnp7875w.jpg?w=305&h=193&ssl=1)
![Papworth: St Dunstan's, Fleet Street. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 5" x 7". [LDNp9991] Papworth: St Dunstan's, Fleet Street. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 5" x 7". [LDNp9991]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/LDNp9991w.jpg?w=300&h=412&ssl=1)
![Papworth: St. James's Square. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10283] Papworth: St. James's Square. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10283]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ldnp10283w.jpg?w=303&h=196&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Leicester Square. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp4694] Leicester Square viewed from Leicester Place.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp4694w1.jpg?w=303&h=212&ssl=1)
![Papworth: St James's Palace. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10387] Papworth: St James's Palace. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10387]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ldnp10387w.jpg?w=300&h=206&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Manchester Square. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp7077] Papworth: Manchester Square. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp7077]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ldnp7077w.jpg?w=300&h=197&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Portland Place. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 9" x 6". [LDNp9637] Papworth: Portland Place. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 9" x 6". [LDNp9637]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/LDNp9637w.jpg?w=612&h=407&ssl=1)
![Papworth: St. James's Park. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 11" x 9". [LDNp9349] St. James's Park. View of the bridge and pagoda erected for the Grand Jubilee.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp9349w.jpg?w=367&h=289&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Montague House, the British Museum. 1816. An original antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10288] British Museum: View of the exterior of Montagu House, the first British Museum.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp10288w.jpg?w=367&h=263&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Bank of England. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp4686] Papworth: Bank of England. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp4686]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp4686w.jpg?w=367&h=236&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Bank of England. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 6" x 8". [LDNp6929] Papworth: Bank of England. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 6" x 8". [LDNp6929]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp6929w.jpg?w=545&h=796&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Cheapside. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp6685] Papworth: Cheapside. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp6685]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp6685w.jpg?w=631&h=426&ssl=1)
![Papworth: St. Leonard's Shoreditch.1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 6" x 8". [LDNp2774] Papworth: St. Leonard's Shoreditch.1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 6" x 8". [LDNp2774]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ldnp2774w.jpg?w=281&h=426&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Whitehall Yard. 1818. An original colour antique aquatint. 9" x 7". [LDNp3292] View from across Horse Guards. Ministry of Defence](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/LDNp3292w-Copy-2.jpg?w=600&h=423&ssl=1)
![Papworth: British Museum, New Building. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 6" x 8". [LDNp10275] Papworth: British Museum, New Building. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 6" x 8". [LDNp10275]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/scan0001.jpg?w=312&h=423&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Portman Square. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 9" x 5". [LDNp8138] Papworth: Portman Square. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 9" x 5". [LDNp8138]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/LDNp8138w.jpg?w=600&h=401&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Drury Lane Theatre. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10279] Papworth: Drury Lane Theatre. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10279]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp10279w.jpg?w=312&h=199&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Carlton House. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp2791] Papworth: Carlton House. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp2791]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/LDNp2791w.jpg?w=312&h=198&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Soho Square.1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp7874] Papworth: Soho Square.1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp7874]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ldnp7874w.jpg?w=241&h=155&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Lincoln's Inn Fields. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10284] Papworth: Lincoln's Inn Fields. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10284]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ldnp10284w.jpg?w=207&h=155&ssl=1)
![Papworth: St Paul's Cathedral.1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10454] Papworth: St Paul's Cathedral.1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp10454]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ldnp10454w.jpg?w=214&h=155&ssl=1)
![Papworth: Queen's Basin, Green Park. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp4704] Papworth: Queen's Basin, Green Park. 1816. An original colour antique aquatint. 8" x 6". [LDNp4704]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ldnp4704w.jpg?w=242&h=155&ssl=1)