Rain, Steam and Speed; JMW Turner

Rain, Steam and Speed – detail

Joseph Mallord William Turner and Isambard Kingdom Brunel were the leading British practitioners in their respective fields in the 19th Century.  Their works came together in Turner’s painting “Rain, Steam and Speed”, which depicts Brunel’s Maidenhead Railway Bridge over the Thames, which at the time of its construction was the longest span and flattest masonry arch structure in the World.

The painting is discussed here:

with a longer discussion of Turner’s works portraying the Industrial Revolution here:

Brunel’s work on the Maidenhead Railway Bridge is described at this site:

Where Thames Smooth Waters Glide

which includes a wide range of historical images and texts relating to the bridge.

Brunel’s design for Maidenhead Railway Bridge

Brunel’s design for Maidenhead Railway Bridge