Herdsmen and Cattle Crossing Lodge Bridge, North Wales

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  • About the work
    Location
    Country: UK
    City: London
    Place: Government Art Collection

    The bridge in this scene is thought to represent Lodge Bridge in North Wales, which carries the road from Cwm Pennant (Pennant Valley) across the Afon Dwyfor river, to the village of Golan. The bridge is still in use today and has been grade II listed since March 1999. It was probably built as part of the Brynkir estate. Brynkir, the large mansion on the estate, was originally a 16th-century house with a 17th-century wing. It was replaced by a new Brynkir, which was commenced in 1811 for Sir Joseph Huddart, the son of Joseph Huddart (1741-1816), influential English Captain, hydrographer and manufacturer.

  • About the artist
    George Haydock Dodgson was born in Liverpool; the son of a draper. He took drawing lessons with Andrew Hunt, before being apprenticed to a surveyor. In 1827 he began working for railway engineer George Stephenson, but resigned in 1834 to become an artist. After sketching tours through Wales, Cumberland and Yorkshire, he moved to London, where he sketched public buildings and produced work for architects. He also designed plates for publication, including those for the ‘Illustrated London News’. He exhibited at the Society of British Artists from 1835 and was a member of the Old Watercolour Society. A nervous condition, which gave him shaky hands, may explain his method of dropping paint onto dampened paper. He died in London, aged 70.
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  • Details
    Title
    Herdsmen and Cattle Crossing Lodge Bridge, North Wales
    Date
    Medium
    Watercolour on paper
    Dimensions
    height: 34.20 cm, width: 50.20 cm
    Acquisition
    Purchased from Christie's, 26 April 1977
    Inscription
    bl: G Dodgson
    Provenance
    Sold through Christie's, London, on 26 April 1977 (Lot 199), as 'Herdsmen and Cattle Crossing the Bridge of Allan'; from which sale purchased by the Department of the Environment
    GAC number
    13280