Façade of the Higher Market, Queen Street, Exeter

This street view in Exeter will be familiar to anyone visiting Queen Street today. The impressive Doric columns show the entrance to the Higher Market, which was completed in 1838. It was built to improve the conditions in which meat, fish, fruit and dairy produce were sold, following a cholera outbreak. The building was completed by Charles Fowler who also built the Covent Garden Market in London.

Hanslip Fletcher was a London-based graphic artist who drew many buildings using his skills in perspective. Here, the dominance of the building is enhanced by the low horizon-line that Fletcher has used.

Visual description: A drawing of Queen Street in Exeter in the 20th century. The top of Exeter Cathedral is visible in the distance over the buildings lining the streets. The left side of the street is lined with shops, while the Doric columns of the entrance to the Higher Market are on the right. The pavements bustle with people while cars drive down the street or park on the curb.