The North East Prospect of the City of Salisbury

Samuel and Nathaniel Buck (1696 - 1779)

Coloured engraving

1734

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

    This detailed prospect of Salisbury, with a descriptive text below and a key to all important landmarks to the right, was published in the early 18th century by brothers Samuel and Nathaniel Buck. It is part of a series titled ‘Buck’s Perspective Views of Cities and Towns in England and Wales’.

    The prospect of Salisbury was drawn from a high vantage point, inviting the eye to discover the busy composition gradually: a plain landscape in the foreground with a few passersby leading towards the carefully aligned buildings in the background. Salisbury Cathedral emerges in the distance to the left. One of the leading examples of early English architecture, Salisbury cathedral was built in the 13th century. The cathedral is also famous for preserving one of the four surviving original documents of the Magna Carta.

    The descriptive text accompanying this prospect provides further information about the ancient-Roman origins of the city, its Latin name and the most important architectural features including its Cathedral,  churches, halls and colleges.


  • About the artist
    Brothers Samuel and Nathaniel Buck made their names as leading British topographical draughtsmen of the 18th century. Over a period of 34 years, the Bucks produced several hundred drawings and engravings, including 87 engraved prospects of England and Wales. These are now important visual records of the appearance of British urban landscapes prior to the changes that occurred during the Industrial Revolution. In some cases, the places depicted have since disappeared or changed beyond recognition.
  • Explore
    Places
    England, Wiltshire
    Subjects
    carriage, horseback, topography, townscape/cityscape, tree, dog, horse, river, hill, man, woman, college, basket, coat of arms, road, path, bridge (urban), prison, government building, hospital, house, palace, church, cathedral, spire, tower
    Materials & Techniques
    engraving, coloured engraving
  • Details
    Artist
    Samuel and Nathaniel Buck (1696 - 1779)
    Title
    The North East Prospect of the City of Salisbury
    Date
    1734
    Medium
    Coloured engraving
    Dimensions
    height: 45.10 cm, width: 86.00 cm
    Acquisition
    Purchased from Parker Gallery, March 1965
    GAC number
    6934