View of Old London Bridge

Canaletto 1697 - 1768

Summary

A reproduction produced by the Vasari Society of a drawing by Canaletto. The drawing is a view towards London Bridge. There are multistorey buildings built up along the top of the bridge. A number of tall buildings are prominent on the skyline to the left of the view. There are numerous boats on the river in front of the bridge, manned by figures with paddles. There are several boats and figures on the riverbank in the bottom right hand corner; a couple is walking in the immediate foreground, and two people are moving a large barrel. Text from the accompanying booklet produced by the Vasari Society: "No. 10 ANTONIO CANALE (CANALETTO) (b. 1697; d. 1768) VIEW OF OLD LONDON BRIDGE British Museum, 1909-4-6-4. From the Blofield Collection. Pen and sepia outlines with Indian ink wash. 30.7 x 54.1 cm. (12 1/16 x 21 1/4 in.). A large and remarkably fine example of the detailed topographical drawings done in London by Canale during his visit in 1746, when he was making studies for the series of pictures now at Windsor Castle. The view is taken from amid the litter of the wharf and mud-bank on the southern side, and shows the bridge as it appeared in the years immediately before its demolition, with the Monument rising conspicuously towards the left."