View at Battersea, 1784

'View from Battersea looking towards the north bank of the river. Formerly marshland, Battersea was drained in the middle ages, leaving very fertile soil. By the 18th century, it was a noted agricultural area, known for its market gardens producing carrots, melons and a famous local type of asparagus, the Battersea Bundle. There were also a few industrial works making copper and pottery in the area, but it did not really become industrialised until the 19th century. Before the building of Battersea Bridge in 1771-2, a ferry connected Battersea with Chelsea.'

(caption courtesy of The British Library on-line collection)