No. 21 William Chapman (1817 – 1879) “Approaching York Minster” 1879 Watercolour
The Artist:
Born in Sunderland but moved to York in 1869. Worked as an engraver, landscape painter and watercolourist of architectural scenes.
FoYW’s note:
This view is of the city walls from New Tower to Monk Bar with a ghostly background of view of the Minster from the south-east. Since the time of this view the wall-walk here has gained safety railings, New Tower has lost a window and the walls seem to have lost a chimneyed, tile and brick building rising from a tower, probably from Harlot Hill Tower. Also it seems that in 1879 the battlements on New Tower already appeared to be ‘restored’ to be neat, complete -and so small as to be decorative rather than defensive- but that the battlements elsewhere were less complete and in less good repair than now.
Using this image: Using this image: the artwork is no longer copyright, FoYW are willing for this image of it to be used as if it was copyright-free except that those wishing to make multiple and/or commercial use of it must email friendsofyorkwalls@yorkwalls.org.uk so we can remind them that we are an all-volunteer charity which welcomes donations.
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Posted / Updated 16th February 2026 AF
