Study for The Coal Exchange, from Microcosm of London c. 1808

This delicate pencil drawing, *Study for The Coal Exchange, from Microcosm of London*, created by Augustus Charles Pugin in 1808, is a preparatory sketch for a larger print. It depicts a bustling scene outside a Coal Exchange, showcasing the vibrant social life and economic activity of London in the early 19th century. Pugin's detailed and evocative use of line captures the movement and energy of the crowd, emphasizing the importance of this bustling marketplace in the lives of ordinary Londoners. This study, now in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, gives us a glimpse into the creative process of this renowned architect and artist.