A north view of the Cities of London and Westminster with part of Highgate, taken from Hampstead Heath near the Spaniards

The present watercolour relates to a pair of views of London and Westminster, which were engraved by Daniel Lerpinière after George Robertson, the second being A south view taken from Denmark Hill near Camberwell. An article in The Connoisseur, 1937, XCIX, records the discovery of a work in oil by Robertson, which relates to the second engraving A South view taken from Denmark Hill near Camberwell. Colonel M.H. Grant in his Old English Landscape Painters, Leigh-on-sea, 1959, p. 280, records the two engravings of Westminster, but states that it is impossible to say whether the engravings are after oils or watercolours. The question as to whether the engravings are after paintings or drawings would still seem to remain in doubt with this drawing of the first in the pair of views. Robertson's work in watercolour is well documented, his views of Jamaica executed whilst in the company of William Beckford in 1774, were subsequently engraved, however his work in oil would appear to be limited to this one oil painting. The oil painting was sold Christie's, London, 26 November 1999, lot 17 (£20900).