The Ponte Salario or Ponte Salaro

Attributed to Paul Sandby RA (1730/31 - 1809)

RA Collection: Art

This drawing has been loosely copied from Giuseppe Vasi's engraving of the Ponte Salaro or Salario in Rome from his publication I Ponti e gli edifici sul Tevere, 1754 (The buildings and bridges on the Tiber). The artist has copied Vasi's depiction of the bridge quite closely but has omitted all of the figures and other elements of the composition. However, the inclusion of features such as the small fence in the foreground make it clear that Vasi's image was nevertheless the source for this view.

This drawing and the others in the group have traditionally been attributed to Paul Sandby. Given their provenance from John Yenn's collection (he knew Sandby), as well as their general style and subject-matter, some connection with Paul Sandby seems certain. However, the lack of detail and the fact that several of the drawings have been copied from prints by other artists make it more likely that they are the work of students directed by Sandby. Alternatively, he may have sketched them himself as demonstrations or as outlines for his pupils to colour.