He was the son of George Shepherd, a London watercolour painter who exhibited from 1800-1830.   George Sidney Shepherd specialised in painting topographical subjects in watercolour, including many views of metropolitan buildings and he also occasionally executed rustic subjects and still life.   He exhibited his work frequently and he drew for C. Clark’s ‘Architectura Ecclesiastica Londini’ and W. H. Ireland’s ‘England’s Topographer’.  He was particularly renowned for his views of London which provide an accurate record of the city’s architecture and social history.
Temple Bar used to mark the western limits of the City and dates from the 13th century.   The gate depicted by Shepherd was built of Portland stone in the early 1670s by Sir Christopher Wren and was dismanted in 1877-8 because of traffic congestion, before being rebuilt at Theobalds Park near Cheshunt.   On State occasions the Sovereign’s procession halts at Temple Bar and permission is sought from the Lord Mayor to enter the City.   This ceremony dates from Elizabeth I’s attendance at St. Paul’s Cathedral to give thanks for the defeat of the Armada.

Exhibited

New Watercolour Society  

Museums
Victoria and Albert Museum, London