Anthony Walker, 1726–1765, Britishafter John Donowell, active 1753–1786
Title:
An Elevation, Plan, and History of the Royal Exchange of London
Materials & Techniques:
Engraving
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1977.14.18046
Gallery Label:
From the time of resettlement, Jews in Britain worked predominantly in trades and the financial sector. Forbidden to operate retail businesses within the City of London, many Jews settled on its western periphery. The majority were street vendors and shopkeepers, but the elite specialized in financial services and stockbroking, making good use of their links with Jewish business communities in continental Europe, America, and the Caribbean. The Royal Exchange, founded in 1656, was London's first official trading center. Only sworn brokers could trade on the Royal Exchange, and the number of Jews was limited to twelve. Anthony Walker's engraving of the plan shows the area designated for Jewish trading, on the outer margins of the Exchange, in the bottom right-hand quadrant. Gallery label for Art and Emancipation in Jamaica: Isaac Mendes Belisario and his Worlds (Yale Center for British Art, 2007-09-27 - 2007-12-30)