View of Somerset House from the River Thames, with boats in the foreground and the dome of St. Paul's beyond

This view on the River Thames is taken from Waterloo Bridge and shows Somerset House, designed by the architect Sir William Chambers (1723-1796) during the last two decades of his life (1776-1796). Scott had established himself as the native specialist in London Thames views, and the arrival of Canaletto in London in 1746 gave fresh impetus to the demand for London views.