James Wilson Carmichael

Gooden & Fox Ltd., London;
Phillip's, Leeds c.1976 where purchased by the present owner

John Blackmore with engravings after pictures by J.W. Carmichael, Views on the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, 1836-1838, pp.44 and 50, illustrated opposite p.45 and p.50

Both canvases are lined with some signs of craquelure and surface dirt. Ultraviolet light reveals some retouching to both works which largely correspond to some of the areas of craquelure. Held in matching gilt composite frames.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The two present pictures are remarkably rare and important documents of the early years of railway engineering. They depict two views of the first railway line across Britain, from Newcastle to Carlisle, begun in 1829. Carmichael had been asked by the Newcastle publishers Currie & Bowman to contribute pictures to illustrate a book charting the progress of the railway line. Several drawings for the project made in 1836 are at Tullie House in Carlisle, including a sketch of the building of Cowran Cut. One of the other paintings upon which the engravings were based is Corby Viaduct of 1836 (Yale Centre for British Art, New Haven). The engravings were published in parts between 1836 and 1838 and reprinted together in 1839 to coincide with the opening of the railway. The fame of the engravings led to Carmichael becoming friends with several wealthy mining and railway engineers, including Colonel Stobart, chairman of the Stockton to Darlington Railway and Nicholas Wood a friend of George Stephenson. The railway surveyor Thomas Sopwith and the owner of Sunderland and Durham Railway George Hudson also became patrons of Carmichael. 

'THE COWRAN CUT - This cutting is situated west of the River Gelt, about 8 miles from Carlisle. It is nearly a mile long. The deepest part is that which is walled at the foot of the slopes for a length of half a mile: this part is one hundred and ten feet in depth. The walls are fourteen feet high. A tunnel through this hill was at one time intended, but that idea was abandoned after a sufficient trial had been made, in consequence of the difficulties and expense likely to ensue from the strength of the springs, and the looseness of the sand of which the hill is chiefly composed. At the time this cutting was completed, it was considered to be the largest that had been executed in England.' (Views on the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, p.44) 

'CARLISLE - This view is taken from the South West side of the Town, and represents such objects of importance as can be seen from this part of the Railway, which is near where the continuation of the main line from the principal depot at the London Road to the Canal Basin crosses the valley of the River Caldew.' (Views on the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, p.50) The large industrial building on the left is Shaddon Cotton Mill at Shaddongate with its 300 foot tall chimney completed in 1836, the year before Carmichael painted this view. He contrasts the rural idyll of the foreground with the modern world beyond, traversed by the train powering along laden with its trucks of coal.