William Alexander's illustrations from Staunton's account of British Ambassador's Visit to China. Pub Apr 12 1796, Nicol. Pl.31. 'View of a Pai-Loo or Triumphal Arch'. Full Plate. Colour. Image 30x45cm.
 
William Alexander was born in Maidstone, Kent, in Southeast England, in 1767. He became a student at the Royal Academy in 1784. In 1792, at the age of just 25, he was given the opportunity of a lifetime: he was chosen to accompany Lord Macartney's embassy to China as a junior draughtsman.