Regent’s (or London) Canal: The East Entrance to the Islington Tunnel
John Cleghorn (after Thomas Hosmer Shepherd), 1825
Yale Center for British Art, New Haven

This horizontal landscape composition has, as its central focus, a ramp and two arched openings. In the immediate central foreground, three figures, themselves forming a triangle, are involved in canal-side activities. The left-hand figure, in a top hat and frockcoat, appears to be directing these activities as his right hand is raised.

Right of center, in the lock basin, two named canal boats appear to be in motion. Wafts of smoke come from their chimneys, and men are at the oars. Both canal boats bear the title T & M Pickford, Manchester. Each boat has its own name: City Basin and The Tiger. Both boats slant diagonally towards the center arch. To their right, limited activity is taking place on the towpath. A horse stands idle, facing the direction of the boats. Further along, in the middle distance, two men walk at the canal's edge. They appear to be carrying a guide rope as they walk in the direction of the central arch.

Left of center the lock is not active, the lock doors are closed and the water level is low. On the shore wall, three men appear to be at rest. One of these men stands and also wears a top hat and frock coat, echoing the gentlemen at center and to the right.

The broad horizontal band in the middle ground is occupied with built structures. The large central arch crosses from left to right. To the left of the opening, a stand of tall branches lean against the abutments. To the right, an open area is fenced in with wooden pickets, balancing the dark building on the left.

On the horizon, in the distance, silhouettes of long factory buildings have smoke rising from their chimneys into the clouds.

A small white arched tunnel opening occupies the visual center. The larger arched bridge frames it, as well as the canal boat that appears to be entering it. A tiny white light is contrasted in the dark opening of the tunnel, indicating an opening further along.

Background

Regent's Canal, here pictured at Islington in London, opened in 1820.

Thomas Telford, creator of many canals throughout England, revolutionized inland navigation. Telford's canals, built in fairly straight lines, allowed for the easy and safe passage of goods via the level waterways.

This topographic view illustrates a double lock in operation, the two sides indicating an inward and outward journey. The lock gates, operated by the lock-keeper or canalboat crew, helps to overcome a change of water level within the canal chamber. In this illustration, the packet boats wait as their lock's water lowers to the correct level. This will then allow them to resume their journey through the tunnel in the distance.

London, an industrial center by the early 19th Century, was also a hub for import and exporting goods. These packetboats originated in Manchester, as indicated by the lettering on their sides. Pottery and other manufactured goods, as well as mined coal, traveled safely on the canal routes