Thomas Telford, 1757 - 1834. Civil engineer
About this artwork
Made after a painting by Samuel Lane of 1822, this print shows Telford seated at a table with one of his major structures, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, behind him. As ‘General Agent, Surveyor, Engineer, Architect and Overlooker’ of the Ellesmere Canal, Telford was responsible for the construction of the aqueduct which carries the canal over the River Dee. Completed in 1805, this ‘waterway in the sky’ required a rigorous knowledge of materials in order to stand 126 feet high at its centre and carry a pioneering cast-iron trough across a span of over 1000 feet. Sir Walter Scott described the structure as the most impressive work of art he had ever seen. Telford was also involved in the construction of many other canals, roads and bridges both in the UK and abroad.
Updated before 2020
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artist:
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title:Thomas Telford, 1757 - 1834. Civil engineer
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date created:After 1822
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after:Samuel Lane (1780 - 1859) English
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materials:Line engraving on paper
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measurements:34.30 x 27.60 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Purchased 1941
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accession number:SP V 240.4
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gallery:
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depicted:
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subject:
William Raddon
William Raddon
Raddon was an engraver who also worked as a designer and a painter. As well as portraits, his work often depicted entomological subjects. For this reason, his friend, Henry Fuseli, recommended him to the natural history illustrator, Sydenham Edwards, in an effort to gain Raddon commissions.