Joseph Mallord William Turner

Old London Bridge with Piledrivers on the River Thames

?1824

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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

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Artist
Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of
Old London Bridge Sketchbook
Medium
Graphite on paper
Dimensions
Support: 98 x 162 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference
D17848
Turner Bequest CCV 8

Catalogue entry

This view shows the southern end of the upstream side of Old London Bridge from the west, focusing on the early stages of building operations for its replacement, which began in March 1824. The vertical features are piledrivers used in establishing coffer-dams in the river to facilitate the construction of the new bridge’s piers. The wisp of smoke towards the left comes from a smoke-stack above the hull of a vessel, apparently steam-powered itself or bearing a steam engine on its deck. As so often, Turner has made careful written notes of the workers’ dress. Around the right-hand end of the drawing are supplementary sketches of the waterfront.
More than half the drawings in this sketchbook show the river around the bridge, and are likely to date from 1824; see the Introduction.

Matthew Imms
December 2014

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Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Coffer-Dams and Piledrivers on the River Thames above Old London Bridge, with St Magnus the Martyr’s Church and the Monument; Southwark Bridge with St Paul’s Cathedral’ 1824

Joseph Mallord William Turner Coffer-Dams and Piledrivers on the River Thames above Old London Bridge, with St Magnus the Martyr’s Church and the Monument; Southwark Bridge with St Paul’s Cathedral

1824
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Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Old London Bridge; Stagings, Piledrivers and the Thames Waterfront’ ?1824

Joseph Mallord William Turner Old London Bridge; Stagings, Piledrivers and the Thames Waterfront

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Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘A Coffer-Dam and Piledrivers on the River Thames above Old London Bridge, with the Shot Tower Beyond’ 1824

Joseph Mallord William Turner A Coffer-Dam and Piledrivers on the River Thames above Old London Bridge, with the Shot Tower Beyond

1824
View by appointment D17954
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Staging and Piledrivers on the River Thames above Old London Bridge, with St Magnus the Martyr’s Church and the Monument Beyond’ ?1824

Joseph Mallord William Turner Staging and Piledrivers on the River Thames above Old London Bridge, with St Magnus the Martyr’s Church and the Monument Beyond

?1824
View by appointment D17877
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Boats on the River Thames off Old London Bridge and Southwark Bridge’ 1824

Joseph Mallord William Turner Boats on the River Thames off Old London Bridge and Southwark Bridge

1824
View by appointment D17959
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Old London Bridge on the River Thames from the Pool of London with Southwark Cathedral Beyond’ ?1824

Joseph Mallord William Turner Old London Bridge on the River Thames from the Pool of London with Southwark Cathedral Beyond

?1824
View by appointment D17847
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Old London Bridge with Piledrivers and the Thames Waterfront below Southwark Cathedral’ ?1824

Joseph Mallord William Turner Old London Bridge with Piledrivers and the Thames Waterfront below Southwark Cathedral

?1824
View by appointment D17846
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Coffer-Dams and Piledrivers on the River Thames above Old London Bridge, with St Magnus the Martyr’s Church and the Monument’ 1824

Joseph Mallord William Turner Coffer-Dams and Piledrivers on the River Thames above Old London Bridge, with St Magnus the Martyr’s Church and the Monument

1824
View by appointment D17957
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘London Bridge with Thames Barges’ 1820–5

Joseph Mallord William Turner London Bridge with Thames Barges

1820–5
View by appointment D07029
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘A Coffer-Dam and Piledrivers on the River Thames above Old London Bridge, with the Shot Tower Beyond’ 1824

Joseph Mallord William Turner A Coffer-Dam and Piledrivers on the River Thames above Old London Bridge, with the Shot Tower Beyond

1824
View by appointment D17953
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘The Lord Mayor’s Day Pageant on the River Thames at Blackfriars Bridge or Waterloo Bridge’ 1824

Joseph Mallord William Turner The Lord Mayor’s Day Pageant on the River Thames at Blackfriars Bridge or Waterloo Bridge

1824
View by appointment D17964
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘The Lord Mayor’s Day Pageant on the River Thames at Blackfriars Bridge or Waterloo Bridge’ 1824

Joseph Mallord William Turner The Lord Mayor’s Day Pageant on the River Thames at Blackfriars Bridge or Waterloo Bridge

1824
View by appointment D17966
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Shipping in the Pool of London below Old London Bridge, with Southwark Cathedral Beyond; Arches of the Bridge’ ?1824

Joseph Mallord William Turner Shipping in the Pool of London below Old London Bridge, with Southwark Cathedral Beyond; Arches of the Bridge

?1824
View by appointment D17875
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘The Arches of London Bridge under Construction, with the Monument and St Magnus the Martyr’s Church Beyond’ c.1827

Joseph Mallord William Turner The Arches of London Bridge under Construction, with the Monument and St Magnus the Martyr’s Church Beyond

c.1827
View by appointment D20751
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Shipping on the River Thames off the Tower of London; the Hulk ‘Perseus’; the Pool of London with Old London Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral Beyond’ ?1824

Joseph Mallord William Turner Shipping on the River Thames off the Tower of London; the Hulk ‘Perseus’; the Pool of London with Old London Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral Beyond

?1824
View by appointment D17859