Maps As Art: English Artist Completes Bird's Eye View Of London Neighborhood

Ham and High Broadway has a story today on the work of artist Malcolm Fowler and his bird's-eye view map of Primrose Hill. Mr. Fowler, who apparently has no cartographic training, prepared his map by simply walking the streets with his sketchbook. He then took each section and compiled them into one map, in pencil and colored it with watercolors and gouache. The map is reportedly very detailed and depicts homes, shops, pubs, restaurants, workshops, and offices, with the London skyline visible.

In preparing his bird's-eye view map, Mr. Fowler is keeping alive a talent that has largely disappeared. In the 1800's such bird's-eye view maps were quite popular, but the demand for such maps virtually disappeared with the introduction of photogrammetry. Mr. Fowler has produced a series of 265 limited edition prints which he is offering for £175 (about $300 U.S.).