'Study of a Bridge, Bristol', salted paper print from calotype negative, Calvert Richard Jones, ca.1845

Photograph

During the 1830s William Henry Fox Talbot invented a way of making paper negatives and from them multiple paper prints. In doing so, he laid the foundations of modern photography. Calvert Jones learned of these developments in 1839 through a neighbour who was a cousin of Talbot. Jones lived in South Wales and he made many photographs there and in the West of England. He also travelled widely, making photographs on the continent. Jones' work stands out in the early development of photography because he was one of the first to apply a schooled artist's eye to the medium.

Jones' photograph of this Georgian bridge was taken from an established viewpoint, though it lacks the usual boats evident in pruints and drawings. The crossing point had long been a main thoroughfare into the city. By the time that Jones photographed the bridge, access was free and the two domed toll houses were no longer in use. The warehouses in the background background clearly display their names; the one on the right is the tobacconist J. Player.

Bristol Bridge was designed by the architect James Bridges and opened in 1768, It replaced a medieval bridge. The Georgian Bridge still survives under the wider Victorian Bridge.

This study of Bristol Bridge is an early example of the calotype process, a process of making paper negatives invented by William Henry Fox Talbot in 1839. The photographer, Calvert Jones, was introduced to the process by a cousin of Talbot who lived near Jones in South Wales.

The crossing point over Bristol harbour had long been a main thoroughfare into the city. By the time that Jones photographed the bridge, access was free and the two domed toll houses were no longer in use. The warehouses in the background background clearly display their names; the one on the right is the tobacconist J. Player.

PH.46-1983