[Fox, William] 1812-1893 :[Otira Gorge or Bealey River? 1872?]

Shows a man standing on a bridge over a narrow gorge looking down into the river and rocks below. A dog is beside him and tall trees are behind him

Dating: The West Coast Road between Canterbury and Westland via Arthurs Pass was completed in 1866. Fox visited the West Coast in February to March 1872, and probably crossed to Canterbury afterwards via Otira Gorge and Arthurs Pass, giving this view a date of late March or early April 1872.

Source of title: the watercolour was donated to the Library as showing Otira Gorge. There are no inscriptions on the work. The bridge does not appear to be the same as another bridge in Otira Gorge shown in several other Fox watercolours held by the Library (WC-076, 077,and -078) in the details of the buttressing underneath, the approaches and the nature of the surrounding bush. The view may be of White Bridge over the Bealey River on the east coast side of the Arthur's Pass crossing. The term Otira was widely used in the 1870s and 1880s for the whole pass not just the West Coast side.

Quantity: 1 watercolour(s).

Physical Description: Watercolour 255 x 356 mm