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Lot Essay
Webb hailed from Manchester but often travelled the country in search of inspiring coastal and marine subjects. Following his death two years prior, the rt Journal of 1904 extols his work and speculates 'Will the fame which was coming tardily and warily, as fame ever comes, hasten now that the genius who courted it is dead?'
The present work depicts Exeter Cathedral with its imposing Norman tower of the south transept concealing the corresponding north transept tower behind (both dating from the early twelfth century). Situated on the river Exe, the cathedral has enjoyed a long and illustrious history culminating in the drama of being bombed in the 1942 Blitz. In 50AD the Romans discovered that Exeter was the lowest point at which the river could be crossed and so made it a stronghold, with the cathedral being constructed on the site of the II Augustan Legion's camp. Over the centuries, Exeter grew in importance as a trading port and the artist has accurately illustrated the docks as being the hub of the city. In the thirteenth century a quarrel involving the Countess of Devon and the Port of Exeter resulted in the building of a weir, to prevent larger vessels from reaching the city. Hence, in 1566 the canal was built, making it England's oldest ship canal and the one that we see depicted here by Webb.
The present work depicts Exeter Cathedral with its imposing Norman tower of the south transept concealing the corresponding north transept tower behind (both dating from the early twelfth century). Situated on the river Exe, the cathedral has enjoyed a long and illustrious history culminating in the drama of being bombed in the 1942 Blitz. In 50AD the Romans discovered that Exeter was the lowest point at which the river could be crossed and so made it a stronghold, with the cathedral being constructed on the site of the II Augustan Legion's camp. Over the centuries, Exeter grew in importance as a trading port and the artist has accurately illustrated the docks as being the hub of the city. In the thirteenth century a quarrel involving the Countess of Devon and the Port of Exeter resulted in the building of a weir, to prevent larger vessels from reaching the city. Hence, in 1566 the canal was built, making it England's oldest ship canal and the one that we see depicted here by Webb.