James Brindley

H Cook

Summary

A portrait of engineer James Brindley (1716-1772), famous for the building of the Bridgewater Canal. The portrait is three-quarter length, and Brindley faces slightly to the left. He stands before a large classical vase with foliage and, on the left, a view of the Barton aquaduct over the river Irwell, Manchester: his engineering triumph. Brindley wears a long coat and a buttoned waistcoat, and a curled wig. He rests his right hand on a theodolite.