Samuel Scott - The Building of Westminster Bridge [c.1740s]

Samuel Scott - The Building of Westminster Bridge [c.1740s], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

To the left in this view of London and the Thames River is the still unfinished Westminster Bridge. Behind it from left to right are Saint Johns, Smith Square, Westminster Hall, Westminster Abbey, and the tower of Saint Margaret's church. Work on Westminster Bridge began in 1738 and was completed in 1750. It is shown here in approximately the state it would have reached by 1742.

The canvas also shows a rehearsal of the water-borne procession of a newly elected Lord Mayor of London to Westminster Hall. The barge bears the arms of the Ironmongers Company, and the picture must therefore refer to the election as Lord Mayor of Sir Joseph Pennant, Alderman of the Ironmongers Company, in 1749. Five variants of the composition are known.

[Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York - Oil on canvas, 61 x 112.7 cm]