Thomas Bowles III, ca. 1712–1767, Britishafter Thomas Bowles III, ca. 1712–1767, British
Title:
The Inside View of the Royal Exchange at London
Date:
ca. 1750
Materials & Techniques:
Hand colored engraving
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1977.14.18057
Gallery Label:
The Royal Exchange was founded in 1565 as the commercial center for trade in London. The first structure, opened by Elizabeth I (1533-1603) in 1571 and modeled on the Bourse in Antwerp, was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. This second Exchange, designed by the architect Edward Jerman (ca. 1605-1668) was opened in 1669 and was also destroyed by fire, in 1838. In 1698 stockbrokers were expelled for rowdiness and repaired to nearby coffeehouses to conduct their business. Of particular interest in these views are the Middle Eastern merchants (depicted as figures in turbans) who lived and traded in the metropolis. Gallery label for Pearls to pyramids: British visual culture and the Levant, 1600-1820 (Yale Center for British Art, 2008-02-07 - 2008-04-28)
