Francis Place
, English, 1647-1728
Title
Waterford, County Waterford, from across the River SuirDate1698/1699
MediumInk and wash on paper
Dimensions
29 × 56 cm
Credit LinePurchased, 1972 (Shaw Fund)
Object numberNGI.7533
DescriptionBorn in County Durham, Francis Place was the only topographical artist of importance working in Britain between Wenceslaus Hollar (1606-1677) and early eighteenth century artists such as Paul Sandby. Place visited Ireland in 1698, arriving at the port of Drogheda. He travelled down the coast sketching notable views, before sailing from Waterford in 1699. This meticulous view was taken from a viewpoint on high ground on the opposite bank of the river. The old medieval walls are clearly visible as are a number of landmarks still in existence today, such as Reginald's Tower (far left). In Place's time Waterford was a thriving merchant city, busy with ships carrying goods and passengers to and from Bristol and other English ports.Inscriptionupper centre (in ink, artist's own handwriting): Waterford as it appears from the other side of the water
note attacched, upper left (in ink, artist's own handwriting): Let boath the walls marked thus be of an equal hight and fondation