Lot 58: Attributed to Joseph Nichols (active Britain, 1692-1760) A view of Old Walton Bridge from the north looking upstream with elegant figures conversing in the foreground meadow

A view of Old Walton Bridge from the north looking upstream with elegant figures conversing in the foreground meadow
oil on canvas
55.8 x 126.3cm (21 15/16 x 49 3/4in).

Old Walton Bridge was the bridge built across the River Thames at Walton-on-Thames in Surrey. Construction of the wooden bridge by a Mr. White of Weybridge was started in 1748 and was completed in 1750, standing until 1783 when it was dismantled to make way for a brickwork replacement. The design of the bridge was by William Etheridge, who also designed the smaller but similar Mathematical Bridge across the River Cam at Queens' College, Cambridge. He was also responsible for the construction of many of the timber centres of Westminster Bridge while working as James King's foreman.

The construction was paid for by Samuel Dicker who was M.P. for Plymouth. It was Dicker who commissioned Canaletto to paint two views of the bridge in 1754 and 1755 respectively (Dulwich Picture Gallery and Skrine Collection, London) the latter view showing the stone abutments that were added in 1751, as does the present painting, which is taken from further downstream. Dicker's house at Mount Felix, seen to the left of the composition, can also be seen more clearly here than in either of Canaletto's two depictions of the subject.