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    300 years
    Return to "Ford 1951" is linked to these Works 91 items
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    Ponte delle Torri…

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    Ponte delle Torri…
    Ponte delle Torri…
    Ponte delle Torri…
    Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
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    Artist
    Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782)
    Title
    Ponte delle Torri, seen through an Arch (A Viaduct seen through an Arch)
    Date
    c.1751-52 (undated)
    Medium
    Black chalk on medium, moderately-textured, cream laid paper
    Dimensions
    Metric: 273 x 206 mm
    Imperial: 10 3/4 x 8 1/8 in.
    Collection
    Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, New Haven. To license images click here
    Accession Number
    B1977.14.6061
    Wilson Online Reference
    D39
    Exhibited
    Aldeburgh 1964, English Drawings 1700-1850 from the Collection of Mr & Mrs Paul Mellon (56); London, Colnaghi & Co. & Yale University Art Gallery, December 1964 - June 1965, English Drawings and Watercolours from the Collection of Mr and Mrs Paul Mellon (56); New Haven 1981 (87)
    Provenance
    William Lock of Norbury; his sale, Sotheby's, London 3-7 May 1821; Marianne Ford; thence by descent to Captain Richard Ford; his sale, Christie's 17 June 1929 (11 - bt Lowinsky with two others in one mount (£9.19.6)); Mrs Thomas Lowinsky; Paul Mellon; acquired 1977
    Signature/inscription
    Unsigned; no inscription
    Collectors' marks
    [1] Recto lower right: 'TEL' in circle: Thomas Lowinsky (Lugt 2420a)
    Verso inscriptions
    [1] Black ink, upper centre: 'From the collection of Captain Ford [|] sold at Christies June 17 1929
    Subject
    The location was identified for the first time in Bull 1981 as probably the large viaduct which spans the ravine just outside Spoleto in Umbria, crossing the River Tessino. At each end of the bridge is a fortress - the Rocca Albornoziana and the Fortilizio dei Mulini. It is possibly from their towers that the structure derives its name. Originally a Roman aqueduct it is difficult to date but in its present state was probably completed at the end of the fourteenth century. It stands on nine mighty arches, has a length of 230 meters and a height of 80. Wilson was not alone in being struck by the bridge; over the centuries it has impressed many travellers, including Goethe in 1786.
    Related Drawings
    D59 Ponte Alpino built by Hannibal, Tate, London
    Critical commentary
    One of a number of drawings executed during Wilson's journey from Venice to Rome in the company of William Lock, the first owner, in 1751-52. They travelled along the coast to Loreto, then inland via Foligno, probably passing through Spoleto.
    Previous Cat/Ref Nos
    Object ID: 15147
    Bibliography
    Ford 1951 p. 52, pl. 9; Bull 1981, p. 59, cat. 87
    Updated by Compiler
    2020-02-25 00:00:00

    Exhibitions

    • New Haven, Yale Center for British Art, 29 July - 20 September 1981

    Biographies

    • William Lock 'of Norbury' (1732-1810)
    • Thomas Lowinsky (1892-1947)
    • Paul Mellon (1907-1999)

    Documents

    • Brinsley Ford, The Drawings of Richard Wilson
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