William Alexander engravings, 1796
Collection Number: 4510

William Alexander studied under Julius Caesar Ibbetson. He served as the "draughtsman" for the Macartney Expedition to China, 1792-1794, sailing in the Hindostan, and making a vast number of sketches. Upon his return to England, he worked up many of these into finished color-wash drawings. A number of these were engraved and reproduced in Sir George Staunton's account of the embassy.

Four engravings of scenes of China: "View of the Suburbs of a Chinese City," London, published April 12, 1796 by G. Nicol, A.T. Pouncy, sculpt.; "View of one of the Western Gates of the City of Pekin," London, published April 12, 1796 by G. Nicol, Wm. Alexander, del., J. Dadley, sculpt.; "View of the Lake Pao-Ying where it is separated from the Grand Canal by an embankment of Earth," London, published April 12, 1796 by G. Nicol, W. Alexander, del., Wm. and Elizabeth Ellis, sculpt.; "View of Pai-Loo, improperly called a Triumphal Arch, and of a Chinese fortress," London, published April 12, 1796 by G. Nicol, W. Alexander, del., J. Chapman, sculpt.

William Alexander engravings. #4510. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.