The Menai Bridge
George Arnald (Farndish 1763 - London 1841)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1828 (signed and dated)
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
946 x 1346 mm (37 1/4 x 53 in)
Order this imageCollection
Plas Newydd, Anglesey
NT 1175972
Caption
The bridge, completed in 1826 is seen from the mainland looking south-west with Plas Newydd in the centre. It is the masterpiece of the Scottish engineer Thomas Telford, and was by far the widest suspension bridge at the time. Prior to its construction the quickest ferry crossing took forty minutes. The 1st Marquess at first opposed the project, but later agreed on condition that some rocks in the narrow passage of the strait were blown up so as to ensure safe navigation. In the 1930s the chains were replaced and the deck radically altered.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, The Menai Bridge by George Arnald (Farndish 1763 - London 1841), signed and dated bottom left Arnald R.A.(?) / 1828. The bridge seen from the mainland looking south-west, Plas Newydd in the centre of the picture, ships in the Straits and three figures seated in the foreground. The masterpiece of the Scottish engineer Thomas Telford, it was completed in 1826, and was by far the widest suspension bridge at the time. Prior to its construction the quickest ferry crossing took forty minutes. The 1st Marquess at first opposed the project, but later agreed on condition that some rocks in the narrow passage of the strait were blown up so as to ensure safe navigation.In the 1930s the chains were replaced and the deck radically altered.
Marks and inscriptions
Signed and dated
Makers and roles
George Arnald (Farndish 1763 - London 1841), artist