A Picturesque Tour through the Cities of London and Westminster
1792 – 1801
Son of Thomas Malton the Elder, a London architectural draughtsman and geometry scholar, Thomas Malton the Younger followed in his father’s footsteps working as his apprentice and then working under one of the leading architects of the time, James Gandon. Malton became a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy, painted scenes for theatres, and taught drawing but it is for his magnificent scenes of London that he is best remembered.
A Picturesque Tour through the Cities of London and Westminster is remarkable, if not unique, in that all the plates of which it is composed were engraved and aquatinted by the artist in person. The secret of the aquatint process which allowed for gentle gradations of tone similar to those of watercolour paintings was developed in France in 1768 by Jean Baptiste Le Prince and crossed the Channel in 1774. It was passed on to Paul Sandby, who applied it to his 24 Views in Wales, published in the three succeeding years. Malton’s project was on an altogether larger scale as it was not only the first considerable collection of London views engraved in aquatint but also the first large British aquatint series on any topic.
Although the title of his work, A Picturesque Tour, suggests Malton’s concern lay with presenting a restful image of the city, much of his work is characterised by plunging perspectives and vigorous architectural clarity – traits which he nurtured in his young pupil William Turner upon whom he had a considerable influence; many of Turner’s watercolours relate quite closely to the subjects in Malton’s Picturesque Tour.
Malton’s principal aim was accuracy, detail and to convey the sense of structures, and as such A Picturesque Tour remains an essential albeit rare part of the dramatic record of the topographical history of London.
Below are a few examples from this collection of original antique Malton aquatints. Please click on an image to see it in high-resolution with details of the work itself. For the full list of views available, please do contact us.
![Malton: Bow Church. 1800. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp2989] Malton: Bow Church. 1800. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp2989]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp2989w.jpg?w=232&h=308&ssl=1)
![Malton: St Bartholemew. 1800. An original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp3009] Malton: St Bartholemew. 1800. An original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp3009]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp3009w.jpg?w=227&h=308&ssl=1)
![Malton: Covent Garden. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp3295] Malton: Covent Garden. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp3295]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ldnp3295w.jpg?w=221&h=308&ssl=1)
![Malton: St Peter le Poor, Broad Street. 1800. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp2988] Malton: St Peter le Poor, Broad Street. 1800. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp2988]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp2988w.jpg?w=224&h=308&ssl=1)
![Malton: The Mews, St. Martin-in-the-Fields. 1800. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp6683] St. Martin-in-the Fields. The Mews. Site of present day National Gallery.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp6683w.jpg?w=319&h=435&ssl=1)
![Malton: Westminster. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp3305] Old Palace Yard.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp3305w.jpg?w=275&h=218&ssl=1)
![Malton: Trinity House. 1799. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp6507] Trinity House, Headquarters of the General Lighthouse Authority.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp6507w.jpg?w=275&h=213&ssl=1)
![Malton: Adelphi Terrace. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp2986] Malton: Adelphi Terrace. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp2986]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ldnp2986w.jpg?w=314&h=435&ssl=1)
![Malton: Bank of England. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 12" x 15". [LDNp3300] Malton: Bank of England. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 12" x 15". [LDNp3300]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/LDNp3300w.jpg?w=199&h=260&ssl=1)
![Malton: Royal Exchange. 1800. An original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp3001] Malton: Royal Exchange. 1800. An original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp3001]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp3001w.jpg?w=189&h=260&ssl=1)
![Malton: New Palace Yard, Westminster. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp3301] Malton: New Palace Yard, Westminster. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp3301]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ldnp3301w.jpg?w=328&h=260&ssl=1)
![Malton: Mansion House. 1798. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp9065] Malton: Mansion House. 1798. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp9065]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp9065w.jpg?w=188&h=260&ssl=1)
![Malton: Adelphi Terrace. 1796. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp6495] Adelphi Terrace, formerly the Royal Terrace, centrepiece of the Adam brothers' Adelphi development.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp6495w.jpg?w=329&h=448&ssl=1)
![Malton: St Dunstan's, Fleet Street. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp3304] Malton: St Dunstan's, Fleet Street. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp3304]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ldnp3304w.jpg?w=583&h=448&ssl=1)
![Malton: Northumberland House. 1800. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp2992] Malton: Northumberland House. 1800. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp2992]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp2992w.jpg?w=590&h=784&ssl=1)
![Malton: St. Martin-in-the-Fields. 1800. An original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp3006] Malton: St. Martin-in-the-Fields. 1800. An original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp3006]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp3006w.jpg?w=322&h=269&ssl=1)
![Malton: Westminster Bridge. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp9497] Malton: Westminster Bridge. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp9497]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ldnp9497w.jpg?w=322&h=250&ssl=1)
![Malton: Somerset Place. 1800. An original antique aquatint. 14 " x 11". [LDNp2981] Malton: Somerset Place. 1800. An original antique aquatint. 14 " x 11". [LDNp2981]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp2981w.jpg?w=322&h=257&ssl=1)
![Malton: London Wall. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp3007] Malton: London Wall. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp3007]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ldnp3007w.jpg?w=191&h=263&ssl=1)
![Malton: Newgate Prison. 1800. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp2987] Malton: Newgate Prison. 1800. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp2987]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/LDNp2987w.jpg?w=337&h=263&ssl=1)
![Malton: St Paul's Cathedral, South Front. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp3293] Malton: St Paul's Cathedral, South Front. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp3293]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ldnp3293w1.jpg?w=191&h=263&ssl=1)
![Malton: St Bennet's Fink, Threadneedle Street. 1797. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp6502] Malton: St Bennet's Fink, Threadneedle Street. 1797. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp6502]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp6502w.jpg?w=185&h=263&ssl=1)
![Malton: Greenwich Hospital. 1799. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp6504] Malton: Greenwich Hospital. 1799. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp6504]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp6504w.jpg?w=288&h=229&ssl=1)
![Malton: Cockspur Street. 1797. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp6508] Malton: Cockspur Street. 1797. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp6508]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp6508w.jpg?w=288&h=227&ssl=1)
![Malton: St. Martin-in-the-Fields. 1800. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp9822] Malton: St. Martin-in-the-Fields. 1800. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp9822]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp9822w.jpg?w=330&h=460&ssl=1)
![Malton: St Paul's Cathedral. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp4482] Malton: St Paul's Cathedral. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp4482]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ldnp4482w.jpg?w=290&h=220&ssl=1)
![Malton: The Parade, Horse Guards. 1800. An original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp2996] Malton: The Parade, Horse Guards. 1800. An original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp2996]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp2996w.jpg?w=290&h=236&ssl=1)
![Malton: St Lawrence's Church, Guildhall. 1798. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp6491] Malton: St Lawrence's Church, Guildhall. 1798. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp6491]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp6491w.jpg?w=609&h=488&ssl=1)
![Malton: Margaret Street. 1800. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp2991] Malton: Margaret Street. 1800. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp2991]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp2991w.jpg?w=303&h=239&ssl=1)
![Malton: The Parade, Horse Guards. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp3359] Malton: The Parade, Horse Guards. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp3359]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ldnp3359w.jpg?w=303&h=245&ssl=1)
![Malton: Fitzroy Square. 1800. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp6492] Malton: Fitzroy Square. 1800. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp6492]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp6492w.jpg?w=567&h=452&ssl=1)
![Malton: St. Martin-in-the-Fields. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp6503] Malton: St. Martin-in-the-Fields. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp6503]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ldnp6503w.jpg?w=345&h=452&ssl=1)
![Malton: St Paul's Cathedral. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp3308] Malton: St Paul's Cathedral. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp3308]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp3308w.jpg?w=588&h=783&ssl=1)
![Malton: Royal Exchange. 1800. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp9356] Malton: Royal Exchange. 1800. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp9356]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp9356w.jpg?w=324&h=260&ssl=1)
![Malton: St. Paul's Church, Covent Garden. 1796. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp3306] Malton: St. Paul's Church, Covent Garden. 1796. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp3306]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp3306w.jpg?w=324&h=258&ssl=1)
![Malton: Privy Garden, Whitehall. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 14" x 11". [LDNp3316] Formerly of the Palace of Whitehall, the Ministry of Defence is headquartered here.](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ldnp3316w1.jpg?w=324&h=257&ssl=1)
![Malton: Monument. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp3313] Malton: Monument. 1792. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp3313]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ldnp3313w.jpg?w=449&h=620&ssl=1)
![Malton: Greenwich Hospital. 1799. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp6499] Malton: Greenwich Hospital. 1799. A hand coloured original antique aquatint. 11" x 14". [LDNp6499]](https://i0.wp.com/prints.themaphouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ldnp6499w.jpg?w=463&h=620&ssl=1)