The Avon Gorge, Looking toward Clifton
ca. 1820
Step back to 1820, before the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge even existed, and you'll see this breathtaking view of the Avon Gorge. Francis Danby, a master of the Romantic movement, places a tiny, well-dressed couple in the foreground to emphasize the sheer scale of the rugged cliffs and the winding river below. It's a classic 'sublime' landscape, designed to make the viewer feel small against the power of nature. The man pointing towards the distance suggests they are tourists or perhaps artists sketching the scene, a popular pastime for the wealthy in the 19th century.