The South East Prospect of Westminster Bridge (after Samuel Wale after Antonio Canaletto)
Richard Parr (c.1707 - after 1754)
Category
Art / Prints
Date
1747
Materials
Copperplate engraving on paper in glazed wood frame
Measurements
466 x 597 mm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Erddig, Wrexham
NT 1149498
Caption
This view of the south east prospect of Westminster Bridge was engraved by Richard Parr after a drawing by Samuel Wale. It was published by the bookseller John Brindley. Wale's draught was evidently based on Canaletto's painting 'Westminster Bridge from the North with the Lord Mayor's Procession, 29 October 1746', which is now in the collection of the Yale Center for British Art. Many commercial barges and smaller vessels populate the river while the state barge of the City of London occupies a prominent position in the foreground. Westminster Abbey and the House of Commons can be seen on the right, and Lambeth Palace is in the distance on the left. Within the image there are small engraved letters; these relate to a key beneath which allows the viewer to identify the different boats, buildings and other landmarks. Richard Parr engraved numerous views of London during the mid-eighteenth century, most of which were published and sold by Brindley. Parr also found employment as an engraver for the mapmaker, John Rocque.
Summary
Copperplate engraving on paper, The South East Prospect of Westminster Bridge (after Samuel Wale after Antonio Canaletto) by Richard Parr (c.1707 - after 1754). After a drawing by Samuel Wale (1721 - 1786), based on a work by Canaletto (1697 - 1768). Published by John Brindley (fl.1747 - 1756).
Provenance
Given by Philip Yorke III (1905-1978) along with the estate, house and contents to the National Trust in 1973.
Marks and inscriptions
Recto: Title/artist. 'R.Parr, sculpsit, 1747. Publ. J. Brindley'
Makers and roles
Richard Parr (c.1707 - after 1754), engraver (printmaker) after Antonio Canaletto (Venice 1697 - Venice 1768) , artist John Brindley (fl.1732 - 1756), engraver and publisher Samuel Wale (Great Yarmouth 1721 – London 1786), engraver (printmaker)
References
Beddington 2006 Charles Beddington, Canaletto in England, a Venetian artist abroad, 1746-1755, Yale University Press, New Haven, 2006, p. 101, no. 23, NJ18 C17 B45 2006 + OVERSIZE (YCBA)