Artwork
St. Botolph's Bridge No. 2
St. Botolph's Bridge No. 2 is a print by Frederick Landseer Maur Griggs. It dates from 1937 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Frederick Landseer Maur Griggs produced the print St Botolph’s Bridge No 2 in 1937. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art and depicts a historic stone bridge with a nearby church, rendered in a detailed, linear style.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on an aged stone bridge spanning a tranquil river, its steep, brick‑tiled walkway leading to a small arched tunnel. A modest church flanks the bridge, and two figures in simple, period attire stand at its entrance, suggesting everyday activity in a rural setting.
Technique & Style
Griggs employs precise, crisp lines to delineate each brick and stone, creating a highly detailed surface. Contrasting light and shadow are used to model the forms, giving the bridge a palpable three‑dimensional presence through a subtle chiaroscuro effect.
History & Provenance
Created in the late 1930s, the print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s print and drawing collection.
Context
Griggs, known for his architectural subjects, often explored historic English structures. This work reflects his interest in the interplay between built heritage and landscape, echoing the broader interwar fascination with preserving and romanticising rural England.
Artist & collection
Artist
Frederick Landseer Maur Griggs
Frederick Landseer Maur Griggs was an English etcher, architectural draughtsman, illustrator, and early conservationist, associated with the late flowering of the Arts and Crafts movement in the Cotswolds, centred in Chipping Campden.
