Lot 24: Thomas Malton Jnr. (British, 1748-1804)

The Market Place, Hull
watercolour and pen and ink
37 x 52 cm. (14 1/2 x 20 1/2 in.)

Thomas Malton trained at the Royal Academy Schools, London, from 1773 and exhibited architectural drawings at the Royal Academy between 1773 and 1803. From 1783, he practised as a drawing-master, specializing in perspective. Among his pupils was J.M.W. Turner, who, in 1811, in his lectures as Professor of Perspective at the Royal Academy praised Malton's skill.

Malton was a leading producer of British topographical views and attracted many imitators at a time when the wars with France increased patriotic pride. In his views, he sought to combine architectural accuracy with a sense of the city's social make-up. His success depended on topicality, and he modified views, updated fashions in dress and included the latest alterations to buildings before publishing the final works.

The equestrian statue of King William III that stands in the Market Place, was erected by public subscription in 1734 at a cost £893 10s.

In the present picture, Malton manages to capture the atmosphere of the Hull market place and give personality to the figures in addition to rendering a topographically accurate scene.