The Bridge of Augustus at Rimini

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The Bridge of Augustus at Rimini
The Bridge of Augustus at Rimini
The Bridge of Augustus at Rimini
Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford
title=Credit line
Artist
Ascribed to Wilson
Title
The Bridge of Augustus at Rimini
Date
Undated
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
Metric: 40 x 71 cm
Imperial: 15 3/4 x 27 15/16 in.
Accession Number
WA1931.1
Wilson Online Reference
P82C
Description
The Ponte d'Augusto crosses the River Marecchia at Rimini and in the distance is the hill of the republic of San Marino. The bridge, with two buildings at one end to the left, spans the centre of the composition, the river extending from it to fill most of the left foreground. Above its banks at the left, in shadow, some buildings can be seen. In the right foreground, beyond a bank of low rocks, is a shelving beach in sunlight, on which two women and a kneeling man handle some washing. To the left another kneeling figure washes linen in the river and other women are silhouetted against the two right hand arches of the bridge. A dense clump of trees stands on the right.
Provenance
Presented by Sir Michael Sadler in memory of Lady Sadler through the National Art Collections Fund, 1931
Signature/inscription
Unsigned; no inscription
Labels
[1] The property of ME and ME [?] Sadler | Leeds
Subject
The Ponte d'Augusto, built by the Emperor Augustus, leads out of Rimini near the triumphal arch, also dedicated to him, across the River Marecchia, to the ancient Via Emilia linking Rimini and Bologna. (See Related Drawings, D43). Commenced in 13 AD, a year before the emperor's death, it was completed later by his successor, Tiberius. With five arches, it was constructed of white Istrian limestone.
Related Drawings
D41 The Bridge of Augustus at Rimini,Tate, London
D41A The Bridge of Augustus at Rimini, Private Collection, England
D43 The Arch of Augustus at Rimini, Private Collection, England
D46 The Bridge of Augustus at Rimini, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
Related Prints
E38 Joseph Farington after Wilson,Twelve Etchings of Views in Italy - Bridge of Augustus at Rimini, 1776, Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, New Haven (B1977.14.21011(g)) and other impressions
Versions
See 'Links' tab
Critical commentary
A slightly smaller variant of P82, with additional figures and birds in the sky. Like other versions P82C is based on drawings made on the spot during Wilson's journey from Venice to Rome, late 1751-52.
Previous Cat/Ref Nos
A402
Bibliography
WGC, p. 212 under pl. 99a (version 5); The Ashmolean Museum: Complete Illustrated Catalogue of Paintings, 2004, p. 245, repr.
More Information
A picture of the same subject was one of four entered in the Brettingham account book at Holkham Hall before 1754.
Condition/Conservation
Relined