Lot 136: THOMAS SMITH OF DERBY FL.1745-1767

oil on canvas

49 by 117 cm., 19 1/4 by46 in.

This interesting landscape looks down-river towards the mouth of the River Avon and the Bristol Channel. Durdham Down was an area of rough pasture land belonging to the Manor of Henbury, which was originally used for grazing. In the distance Cook's Folly is visible, and beyond that the Welsh hills. The ships may well be quarry boats.

A larger version of this composition is in Bristol City Art Gallery. The work was engraved by Chatelain and Vivares in 1756.