The Lune Aqueduct with Lancaster beyond

The 202-metre-long Lune Aqueduct, which carries the Lancaster Canal sixteen metres over the River Lune, was an important feat of modern engineering, designed by canal engineer John Rennie and constructed by Alexander Stevens with the aim of eliminating the need for locks on the canal. Construction began in January 1794 and continued day and night until its completion in 1797, and ran significantly over budget. A number of artists were drawn to the landmark, including J.M.W. Turner, who sketched and painted the aqueduct, having visited on his tour of northern England in 1797, the year the aqueduct came into use. The sketch is part of his 'Tweed and Lakes Sketchbook', preserved at the Tate in London (inv. no. D01067).

William Daniell began his career travelling extensively in India with his uncle and tutor, Thomas Daniell (1749-1840). Of the western artists working in the subcontinent, it was undoubtedly the Daniells who played a pre-eminent role in recording and documenting the country for European eyes. Arriving back in London in 1794, the Daniells embarked on a grand project, a series of one hundred and forty four aquatints entitled Oriental Scenery which introduced to the public in Britain an unrivalled view of the scenery and architecture of this exotic land. After studying at the Royal Academy Schools in 1799, William Daniell soon turned his attention to British scenery and between 1814 and 1825 produced unaided a celebrated series of engravings, A Voyage Round Great Britain, which included a view of Lancaster Castle (Tate, London, inv. no. T02760; fig. 1).