London from Primrose Hill

1831–1835

Publishes his own illustrations to the Old Testament

Inspired by Prowett’s venture, Martin publishes his own illustrations to accompany the Old Testament, but the project is a serious drain on his resources and not very profitable; he sells his remaining stock to Charles Tilt, who republishes the prints in a folio album in 1838 and in a smaller format in 1839.

1833

A diorama of “Belshazzar’s Feast”

A 2,000-square-foot (190 m²) version of “Belshazzar’s Feast” is mounted at the British Diorama; Martin tries, but fails, to shut the display down with a court order. Another diorama of the picture will be staged in New York in 1835: they are tremendous successes with audiences, but wound the artist’s reputation in the serious art world.

1834

A plan for London’s sewerage

Martin’s plans for London’s sewerage anticipate by some 25 years the 1859 proposals of Joseph Bazalgette for intercepting sewers with walkways along both banks of the Thames; he himself proposes a Thames embankment containing a central drainage system.