London from Wandsworth

Location

Country: Lebanon
City: Beirut
Place: British Embassy

The printmaker, William Ellis, was the son of an engraver of writing, Joseph Ellis (died 1793). William was born in London and apprenticed to his father’s stationary company from about the age of 13. He later worked in the studio of the printmaker William Woollett (1735–1785). In 1785 he married Elizabeth Smith, also a printmaker, who may have been related to fellow pupil of Woollett, Samuel Smith (c.1809-1879). The couple frequently worked on projects together, including Aiken’s ‘Description of the Country… Round Manchester’. Elizabeth Ellis had already died when William passed away in 1810. An engraving ‘by the late Mr William Ellis’, showing a view of Exeter, was published to raise money for the couple’s five orphaned children.

Places

Subjects

Materials & Techniques

Artist

Charles F Tomkins (1798 - 1844)
Elizabeth Ellis
William Ellis (1747 - 1810)

Title

London from Wandsworth

Date

Medium

Coloured etching and engraving

Acquisition

Purchased from Frank T Sabin, June 1960

GAC number

5161