Robert Batty (1789-1848) was a British officer, painter, draughtsman, watercolorist, etcher and illustrator.
Batty made an enduring international name for himself with his drawn views. Most of his drawings were transferred into copper and steel engravings by other artists, reproduced and distributed.
Between 1822 and 1833 he travelled through the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany, recording his impressions in sketches and drawings. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society. He was married to Johanna (née Barrow), with whom he had several children.
Select views of some of the principal cities of Europe by Robert Batty. London: Moon, Boys, and Graves, 1832.
LIST OF PLATES.
OPORTO.
The Mouth of the Douro from Massarellos, – E. Goodall.
Oporto, from the Monte D’Arabida, – W. R. Smith.
Oporto, from the Quay of Villa Nova, – R. Brandard.
Oporto, from Villa Nova, – W. Miller.
Oporto, from the Custom-House Quay, – R. Wallis.
Oporto, from Fontainhas, – T. Jeavons.
Six Outline Plates to the above, with References, – R. Batty.
GIBRALTAR.
The Rock, from the Mediterranean Shore, – R. Wallis.
Gibraltar, from the Bay Side, – George Cooke.
The Old Mole, from the Anchorage, – W. R. Smith.
Gibraltar, from above Camp Bay, – C. Varrall.
Gibraltar, from Europa Point, – E. Goodall.
Catalan Bay, – J. T. Willmore.
Six Outline Plates to the above, with References.
LISBON.
Belem Castle (Vignette). – R. Brandard.
Convent of St. Geronymo, Belem. – H. Le Keux.
Lisbon, from the Rua de San Miguel. – T. Jeavons.
Lisbon, from the Chapel Hill of Nossa Senhora da Monte. – W. J. Cooke.
Lisbon. The Largo do Pelourinho. – A. R. Freebairn.
Lisbon, from Almada. – W. Miller.
Six Outline Plates to the above, with References. – R. Batty.
EDINBURGH.
The Castle, from the Grass Market, – R. Brandaud.
Edinburgh, from the Calton Hill, – George Cooke.
The Calton Hill, Nelson’s Monument, &c., – J. H. Kehnot.
The New Royal High School, – E. Goodall.
Edinburgh, from St. Anthony’s Chapel, – W. J. Cooke.
Edinburgh, from the ascent to Arthur’s Seat. – W. R. Smith.
Six Outline Plates to the above, with References.
AMSTERDAM & ROTTERDAM. BRUSSELS & ANTWERP.
ROTTERDAM.
The OUDE HAVEN, – John Pye.
AMSTERDAM.
The Damrak, Palace, &c. – R. Brandard.
View on the Cingel, – W. J. Cooke.
BRUSSELS.
Brussels, from the Hotel de Bellevue, – W. Radclyffe.
The Grande Place, – T. Jeavons.
ANTWERP.
Antwerp, from the Tète de Flandre., – A. R. Freebaiux.
NOTICE.
As the Engravings in this Work are, in the strictest sense of the word, faithful and accurate Views of the places they profess to represent, taken from the most advantageous situations, and exhibiting every object that is presented to the eye of the spectator; they necessarily include a great variety of remarkable and interesting points, which it would be impossible to describe in a single page.
In order, therefore, to identify the Views in the recollection of those to whom the places and scenes may be familiar, and, as far as practicable, to convey a similar pleasing familiarity to those who have not visited them, the Author has etched slight outlines of each View, wherein the different objects are numbered, corresponding with marginal references; he has also added diagrams still further to exhibit the relations of the Views to each other, by pointing- out the spots from which they were respectively taken. The Etchings Avill thus serve as keys to the finished Engravings.
The arrow placed beneath the centre of each Etching, indicates the point of the horizon which the spectator is supposed to be facing.
As several of the Annual Publications are now exclusively devoted to Picturesque and Local Scenery, which their Proprietors, depending upon an extensive circulation, are enabled to publish at a reduced price, it has been thought advisable that this Series of Views be completed in one handsome Volume; forming a valuable addition to Lieutenant-Colonel Batty’s former Works of European Scenery, and without which, though a perfect Work in itself, the Set cannot be deemed to be quite complete.
