Saturday 21 May 2016

The Old Tobacco Shop - Fribourg and Treyer, Haymarket, London

first all drawn out in pencil
then on goes the pen




the first colours are the easy ones...
Here is the finished painting


 I have had my eye on this beautiful and historic old shop front in London's Haymarket. The large bow windows were once a regular sight on London's streets but the law was changed and shops were no longer allowed such large bays. This may be the oldest shopfront in London, still in use as a shop, and it sits on a very busy Haymarket with tourists and workers rushing past on their way to Leicester square and around the west end, rushing past. I wonder how many have stopped to look at the building!
Once tobacconists to royalty, Fribourg and Treyer had traded here for centuries, only closing around 30 years ago. it is well worth a visit inside the shop which is now a Souvenir shop, to see all the original shelves, doors and fittings, even a glass dividing screen. Imagine what this shop has seen over the years!


4 comments:

  1. I find old buildings and places interesting too. Your art is amazing. You have an interesting blog here. :)

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  2. thanks so much Quirky! I have been a bit slack on it lately...must make another post : )

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  3. Hello Ms. Smith,

    I would be interested in purchasing this painting. I am a collector of Fribourg & Treyer antiques. Please message me if you are interested. Thanks for your great work.

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  4. Hello Ross, so sorry to be slow replying to your message, I have only just picked it up. I actually sold the original painting at an exhibition in December 2016. But thank you so much for your interest. with very best wishes, Lyndsey

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