Hôtel de Ville, Place des Terreaux, Lyons 1845

This pen and ink drawing by Robert Smirke, completed in 1845, depicts the Hôtel de Ville, Place des Terreaux, in Lyon, France. Smirke's meticulous attention to detail captures the grandeur of the building's classical architecture, with its intricate ornamentation, tall columns, and towering central tower. The perspective is slightly skewed, giving the viewer a sense of the building's imposing scale. The drawing provides a snapshot of the city's urban landscape during the 19th century and showcases the architectural styles popular during that period. This work is a valuable example of architectural drawing and provides insight into Smirke's skill in capturing the essence of a building through his detailed renderings.