Lot 109: Daniel Turner (British, exh. 1782-1801)

Blackfriars Bridge and St. Paul's from the south bank of the Thames
signed 'Danl Turner' and dated 1801 (lower right)
oil on canvas
38 x 50.8cm. (15 x 20in.)

The first Blackfriars Bridge, linking the City to Southwark, was the third to span the Thames in London and was built in 1760-69. Designed by Robert Mylne and consisting of nine semi-elliptical Portland stone arches, it strongly reflected the influence of Piranesi, with whom the architect had spent time in Rome, and cost a massive £230,000. Officially known as the William Pitt Bridge, a fickle general public insisted on calling it Blackfriars and thus it remained for a century, until it was replaced by the present wrought-iron structure in 1860-69.