Saint Bernards Well

Category

Library Item

Item no

14919

Title

Saint Bernards Well

Description

Two men fish along the Water of Leith beside Saint Bernards Well in this idyllic spot nestling amongst trees.

Artist / maker

Nattes, John Claude

Engraver

Fittler, James

Date

1804

Size

18.5 x 24.5 cm

Type

Etching

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The accompanying text in the volume begins as follows:
"The beautiful little Temple, erected on the spot, known by the name of St Bernard's Well, owes its existance to that benevolent nobleman, the late Lord Gardenstone. This building, which is from a design of Mr Nasmyth, is not unsimilar to the Sibyls Temple at Tivoli, and which the artist probably had in his recollection, when he formed this plan."

St Bernard's Well is situated on the Water of Leith close to Stockbridge. The current surrounding structure was designed by Alexander Naismyth and built in the 1790's. It has a domed ceiling supported by ten columns covering a statue of the goddess Hygeia. Water from the mineral spring was popular for its supposed health giving properties from the mid 18th century until the wells closure in 1940.

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Related subjects

Landscape > Water > Wells

Places > Edinburgh areas > Water of Leith

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Plants > Trees > Trees

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