The Old Bridge at Bridgnorth, Shropshire 1809

David Cox created this watercolour painting of The Old Bridge at Bridgnorth, Shropshire, at an unknown date. Cox was one of the leading figures in the golden age of English watercolour painting. His art was informed by a growing sense of national identity that saw artists turning away from Continental models, and instead celebrating the diverse topography and built heritage of Britain. In this picture, Cox focuses on vernacular buildings of no great distinction, like the house built into the bridge itself. These structures speak to the importance of inland waterways for the transport of goods in the pre-railway age. The church tower in the distance is a reminder that England was still a deeply religious society in Cox’s time. The artist does not critique these social structures, but rather celebrates them. To understand this work better, we might consult local archives for information on the history of the bridge, as well as accounts of the lives of ordinary people in Shropshire.