VerreEglomise view of the Menai Suspension Bridge Bangor

RARE

Theview is after an engraving by William Henry Bartlett [British1809-1854] who was famous for his views which were made into steelengravings as illustrations for the masses. A prolific artist who traveled widely.

Thisparticular image was drawn and published by Virtue in 1841. Webelieve the Verre Eglomise (Reverse painting on glass) was madeshortly after that date. As it is painted on glass the image has aluminous quality to it.

Aftersome research it appears that the steel engraving was used to producethis as the image size is exactly the same as the published editionby Virtue in 1841.

Itwas framed. An original newspaper backing is dated circa 1895 but theframe in which it was in is newer.

Available if required.

Imagesize 120 x 185mm (4.75 x 7.25 inches).

Glass Size: 145 x 225mm (5.75 x 9 inches).

The Menai Suspension Bridge

This bridge had the longest span inthe world, 176 metres, when it opened in 1826. It was designed byThomas Telford as the crowning glory of his road from London toHolyhead. The road scheme's expense was justified by the importanceof the sea crossing from

Holyhead to Dublin. The bridge alsotransformed the local relationship between Anglesey and the mainland,since it was now possible to cross the Menai Strait in almost anyweather. Previously the crossing depended on ferryboats navigatingacross the swirling currents, and countless lives were lost.

TheMenai Bridge, Bangor (North Wales), plate opposite page 93 of volume2 in the book The Ports, Harbours, Watering-Places, and Coast Sceneryof Great Britain Illustrated by Views Taken on the Spot by W.H.Bartlett; with Descriptions by William Beattie, M.D.