The East Prospect of Burton upon Trent in the County of Stafford

Location

Country: Peru
City: Lima
Place: British Embassy

Dominating this view of the Staffordshire town of Burton-upon-Trent is the church of St Modwen, built in 1726 on the site of an ancient abbey. Traces of the abbey can be seen in the market, near the church. To the right of the composition is Burton Bridge, an extensive stone bridge spanning the River Trent. The river was made navigable as far as Burton in the 1720s and the recently increased prosperity of the town is indicated by the central row of townhouses with large, well-kept gardens.

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, Staffordshire

Subjects

farmer/farm labourer, horseback, topography, landscape C18th, townscape/cityscape, wheat, dog, horse, river, hill, forest, man, woman, girl, 18th century costume, dress, coat, field, road, garden, park, house, abbey, church, sailboat

Materials & Techniques

engraving, coloured engraving

Artist

Samuel and Nathaniel Buck (1696 - 1779)

Title

The East Prospect of Burton upon Trent in the County of Stafford

Date

1732

Medium

Coloured engraving

Acquisition

Purchased from Parker Gallery, March 1965

GAC number

6912