Lot Essay
Vidal, a paymaster in the British navy, was one of the most important travelling artists working in pre- and post-independence South America. He lived for three years on the Plata and Ackermann published his Picturesque Views in 1820. There had been considerable interest in South American affairs and Buenos Aires in particular since the 'privateers' Popham and Beresford took the city in 1808. Vidal also produced fine views of Rio de Janeiro and the Brazilian seaboard when employed in various capacities on the South American Station between 1808 and 1837.