Grassmarket

Category

Library Item

Item no

19109

Title

Grassmarket

Artist / maker

Channing, William

Date

1854

Size

17.5 x 25.3 cm

Type

Pencil work; Wash drawing

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Grassmarket where houses are now demolished on south side opposite the foot of West Bow.

William Channing's drawings and paintings from the bound volume of his 'Sketches in Edinburgh', give an artist's impression of tenement life in the mid 19th century. His drawings are glimpses into the past down the narrow Closes and alleyways of the Old Town. We see higgledy-piggledy houses and tenements towering skywards, laundry hanging from windows across the walkways and local characters talking in the streets.

Channing's delightful sketches are particularly valued for their representation of the architectural elements and details of buildings and closes now much changed or long since disappeared.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Chimneys

Architecture > Architectural features > Doors and doorways

Architecture > Architectural features > Roofs

Architecture > Architectural features > Stairways

Architecture > Architectural features > Windows

Business > Service industry > Shops

Homes > Residential buildings > Tenements

People > Adults > Men

People > Adults > Women

Places > Edinburgh areas > Grassmarket

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Closes

Transport > Infrastructure > Cobbled streets

Transport > Infrastructure > Street lights

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