George Coke was an architectural draughtsman working in the late 1700s in London.

This drawing shows scenes of everyday life passing by the high walls surrounding the Smallpox Hospital at Coldbath Fields in Clerkenwell. Established in the mid 1700s, it was the first of its kind in Europe. It stood on the site that is now the Mount Pleasant Post Office.

Here’s an imaginative response to the drawing written by Philippa Lewis, a long standing collaborator of Drawing Matter :

“Lord, Fanny, I had such a very strange encounter this morning. It being a Friday, I was delivering muffins down to that mad Lady Lewson in Cold Bath Square – her maid says she never washes and is most provoking – and as I was walking along the wall by the old Smallpox Hospital – lawks, it was hot! – I noticed this handsome young fellow sitting by the side of the road, drawing the wall.”

Click here to read a Drawing Matter article on this piece.