Bridge of Salamanca, Spain after Harry Fenn, Antique Steel Engraving, circa 1878

About this sheet

The old stone bridge of Salamanca leads the eye up to the city, crowned by the great cathedral with its tall bell tower and broad dome. Rows of tiled roofs climb the hill below, and the Gothic pinnacles and buttresses of the cathedral stand out sharply against a clear sky.

The foreground is full of character. Two young men lean against the parapet of the bridge, one wrapped in a patterned poncho and wide hat, the other holding a staff and a hat at his side, with a mule waiting behind them. Further along, a covered wagon, riders on donkeys and travelers in broad-brimmed hats cross the bridge toward the town.

The plate credits the painting to Harry Fenn and the engraving to J. Godfrey, and Fenn's monogram appears in the image at lower left. The imprint is that of Cassell, Petter and Galpin of London, and the plate is recorded in Picturesque Europe, the illustrated survey of European scenery the firm published in the late 1870s. The bridge over the Tormes is of Roman origin, and the view takes in both the old and new cathedrals that share the hilltop above the river.

It is a steel engraving of excellent detail, with the textures of stone, cloth and tile carefully differentiated. The poncho alone, with its woven pattern and fringe, shows the engraver's skill.

With its strong vertical composition and lively figures, it would make a fine piece for a living room or a Spanish themed collection, framed in black with a wide mat.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed. Any framed or interior images are shown for presentation and inspiration only, unless the listing explicitly states that the item is sold framed.