A Georgian view of Bloomsbury Square

A view of Bloomsbury Square, looking north towards Bedford House, with a mixture of pedestrians, coaches and carts. Of particular interest is the milkmaid, driving two cows around the square. Edward Dayes (1763-1804) was one of the leading topographical artists of the late eighteenth century. This was one of a series of four views of the great London squares, the others being Hanover Square, Grosvenor Square and Queen Square. According to the note bottom left 'The outline sketched by R. Thew, with an instrument', before being etched and published by Robert Pollard and Francis Jukes.