The Great Bridge over the Taafe

The Great Bridge over the Taafe
The Great Bridge over the Taafe
The Great Bridge over the Taafe
National Museum Wales, Cardiff
title=Credit line
Artist
Pierre Charles Canot (c.1710-1777) after Wilson
Title
The Great Bridge over the Taafe
Date
Published 17 July 1775
Medium
Engraving and etching on laid paper inlaid on cream paper
Dimensions
Metric: 422 x 562 mm
Imperial: 16 5/8 x 22 1/8 in.
Accession Number
NMW A 10999
Wilson Online Reference
E28C
Exhibited
SA 1766 (234 - an impression); Conwy 2009 (30 - an impression)
Signature/inscription
Lettered below the image:
[1] Lower left: Richard Wilson pinxt
[2] Lower right: P.C. Canot sculpt
[3] Lower left: THE GREAT BRIDGE OVER THE TAAFE, | in South Wales
[4] Lower right: LE GRAND PONT SUR LA TAAFE | dans la Principauté de Galles
[5] Lower centre in pencil: 1775
Verso inscriptions
[1] Pencil lower right corner: 17/6
[2] Pencil lower right correr: 10999
Subject
William Edwards's bridge over the River Taff at Pontypridd was completed after four attempts in 1756 and measuring 140 feet (43 metres) in span, quickly became renowned. For over 40 years it was the largest single span bridge in Britain.
Versions
See 'Links' tab
Other impressions are at The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth / Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru (PG00881, 004609364 and 4488829) and the Royal Pavilion, Brighton
Related Paintings
No related painting is known to survive
Related Works by Other Artists
John Clerk of Eldin, Pont Y Pridd, etching and drypoint (5 states, 1776)
Critical commentary
This print is one of the set, Six Views in North and South Wales, all after Wilson, published by John Boydell in 1775.
Previous Cat/Ref Nos
87.96
Bibliography
R. Gough, Anecdotes of British Topography, London 1768, p. 593; Edwards 1808, p. 88; Inventaire du Fonds Français: Bibliothèque Nationale, Département des Estampes, Graveurs du XVIIe siècle, vol. 3, Paris 1930, no. 95; WGC p. 187, pl. 56b; Solkin 1982, pp. 228-29
More Information
An impression belonged to William Lock of Norbury and featured in his sale, Sotheby's London 3-7 May 1821 (619).
Condition/Conservation
Trimmed. Needs surface clean.