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St Martin’s Bridge, Toledo

Artist: Wilson, William, OBE RSA RSW · 1905-1972Printer: Nammari, Leena Rustom, RSA · b. 1970

St Martin’s Bridge, Toledo

the original copper printing plate was drawn by William Wilson and impressions taken from it by him during his lifetime. The view appears to combine…

the original copper printing plate was drawn by William Wilson and impressions taken from it by him during his lifetime. The view appears to combine different elements of the landscape and architecture around the city of Toledo to create an imaginary scene. The foreground bridge is a pretty accurate delineation of St Martin's Bridge across the River Tagus, looking South from the Paseo Recaredo, and away from the city centre. However the view of the large towered building at top left, which is undoubtedly the 3rd century Roman palace or Alcazar (refurbished by King Charles I and his son King Philip II in the 16th century, and heavily rebuilt after the Spanish Civil War where it was besieged for several months and which now serves as the home to a Library as well as the Army Museum) is more akin to the view looking South-West from the Roman Puente de Alcantara on the opposite side of the city. The whole area is more heavily built upon than Wilson's view suggests.

an impression taken from William Wilson's original copper printing plate by Leena Nammari during the Borders Art Fair 2019, held in Kelso Town Hall over the weekend of 15-17 March 2019.

© The Artist