Paul Sandby 1730 - 1809.

Sandby travelled across Britain and encountered country roads and many city streets as the subject for his art. During his life the number of travellers crossing the country, prompted by trade, business, pleasure or military movements increased, and numerous new roads were built.

In Edinburgh Sandby recorded the rich variety of contemporary life; his sketches of street scenes include shoppers, traders, beggars, soldiers and pleasure-seekers. The imagery was re-used by the artist throughout his career.
In 1760 in London Sandby created prints of Twelve Cries 'done from life' which illustrate the range of produce that could be bought on the streets and the characters who purveyed it.

I was interested in using one of Sandby's paintings, ‘Rare Mackerel, Three a Groat or Four for a sixpence’, to illustrate graphically the hardships an individuals's struggle to earn a living.

Paul Sandby 1730 - 1809., ‘Rare Mackerel, Three a Groat or Four for a sixpence’