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    300 years
    "Conwy 2009" Is linked to these Works of Art
    of 31

    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
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    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.
    Collection
    National Museum Wales, Cardiff. To license image, click here.
    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.

    Work of Art

    Versions

    • Pierre Charles Canot (c.1710-1777)after Wilson, The Great Bridge over the Taafe, Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, New Haven
    • Pierre Charles Canot (c.1710-1777)after Wilson, The Great Bridge over the Taaffe in South Wales, The British Museum
    • Pierre Charles Canot (c.1710-1777)after Wilson, The Great Bridge over the Taaffe in South Wales, The British Museum

    Exhibitions

    • Conwy, Royal Cambrian Academy, 24 October - 23 December 2009

    Biographies

    • Pierre-Charles Canot (c.1710-1777)

    Documents

    • Edward Edwards, Anecdotes of Painters who have resided or been born in England; with critical Remarks on their Productions
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