The South Prospect of Berwick upon Tweed

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Whitehall

This panoramic view shows the South-West prospect of Berwick-upon-Tweed, as it appeared in the 18th century. The most northerly town in England, Berwick-uponTweed is a traditional market town with notable architectural features, in particular its medieval town walls, Georgian Town Hall, Elizabethan ramparts, and Britain's earliest barracks buildings. 

This view is typical of that of a prospect, taken from an elevated vantage point at a sufficient distance that the town is clearly laid out for the viewer. The main buildings of the town are depicted and above each is a number which refers to the key below (e.g Holy Trinity and St Mary Church, the bell tower, the Old Bridge). The original drawing from which this print was made is currently in the Yale Center for British Art in Newhaven, Connecticut. 

Samuel and Nathaniel Buck undertook tours around the country producing detailed views of the locations they visited. They would typically plan their travels carefully, advertising their work in the local press, in the hope of attracting potential subscribers.

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.

Places

England, Northumberland

Subjects

rowing boat, topography, townscape/cityscape, river bank, river, cliff, flag, coat of arms, bridge (urban), school, hospital, house, castle, church, bell tower, spire, barge/canal boat, ship

Materials & Techniques

engraving, coloured engraving

Artist

Samuel and Nathaniel Buck (1696 - 1779)

Title

The South Prospect of Berwick upon Tweed

Date

15 April 1745

Medium

Coloured engraving

Dimensions

height: 30.50 cm, width: 80.00 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Parker Gallery, March 1967

GAC number

7559