Valentia in 1857-1858 at the Time of the Laying of the Former Cable

Location

Country: Ireland
City: Dublin
Place: British Embassy

Illustrator Robert Dudley worked for ‘The London Illustrated News’ from 1858. He was sent to Newfoundland aboard the Great Eastern by the newspaper to record the landing of the Atlantic Cable. In 1867 he published a collection of 25 lithographs, based on watercolours he made during the trip. These were used as illustrations to the publication ‘The Atlantic Telegraph’. Dudley also exhibited one watercolour of this subject at the Royal Society of British Artists in 1866. In addition to his illustrations, Bartlett was well-known for his designs for decorative book covers, many of which include his signature. He lived and worked in Kensington from 1865 to 1875 and in Notting Hill from 1875 until his death in 1893.
Lithographer Robert M. Bryson was active in the mid-19th century and specialised in topographical views of military and naval subjects after designs by contemporary artists. He worked for Day & Son, the firm originally established by publisher William Day (1797-1845), and made numerous plates for the various books on travel and military campaigns published by the Company, including ‘The Atlantic Telegraph’ (published 1866). In 1851 Bryson married Eleanor Selina Prey, daughter of the late James Prey of Aberdeen Hotel, in Aberdeen. Nothing further is known of his life.

Places

Atlantic Ocean, Ireland, Valentia Island, County Kerry

Subjects

topography, seascape/coastal scene, townscape/cityscape, hill, quay, house, sailboat, ship

Materials & Techniques

lithograph, colour lithograph

Artist

Robert Dudley ( - c.1893)
Robert M Bryson

Title

Valentia in 1857-1858 at the Time of the Laying of the Former Cable

Date

published 1865

Medium

Colour lithograph

Acquisition

Purchased from Parker Gallery, June 1960

GAC number

5133