View of Lancaster from the Lune

The viewpoint of this interesting painting seems to be on the north bank of the Lune, at Skerton. No trace remains today of the wooden footbridges shown, but these may have linked the ayres (islands) which occur in this part of the river and were formerly used for grazing. Some tall rigging of merchant ships can be seen downstream beyond the New Bridge, with smaller craft in the foreground of the painting and nearer to the bridge. The famous Lancaster skyline reveals a trace of an alteration in the scale and placing of, it seems, the church tower, disguised in the final version by a flag flying from one of the Castle towers. The inference is a change of viewpoint after the foreground was painted. The quality of the work is much above the average of the many more literal topographical paintings and drawings in the Lancaster collection, and its colour is especially charming.