The North Front of Old Somerset House in the Strand
1777
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1777
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a grand, three-story building with tall windows and a stone facade. People in old-fashioned clothes walk or ride in horse-drawn carriages along the street in front. The sky is light, with soft clouds, and the whole scene looks calm and orderly. The building is labeled as Somerset House, and the print was made in 1777. Notice how the artist used shading to show details like the texture of the bricks and the folds in the clothing. Look up etching to see how this technique creates such precise lines.
