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Marc Isambard Brunel A well-dressed gentleman sits, facing the viewer, in a large upholstered chair. Occupying the major left hand portion of the composition, he wears glasses, a dark double-breasted jacket with a white cravat, while clasping his hands in his lap. Strong light illuminates his face and hands, made more visible by his black suit and a dark background. He shows little, if any, expression. An arched tunnel that recedes into the background dominates the top right hand portion of the composition. Two figures, their backs to the viewer, walk along the right hand side. Their path is illuminated by arched openings. On the gentleman’s left several objects rest on a table, and appear to be in the same size ratio as the tunnel. Standing upright, a lamp and model lighthouse are in reflected light. Papers and books appear as well, looking a bit disheveled. Background French born, Marc Isambard Brunel came to Britain in the late 18th Century. As an engineer, Brunel’s many inventions and patents include machines that advanced mass production techniques in the 19th century, including machines for sawmills, the making of shoes and boots, and ship works. Inspired by observing the actions of ship worms (Teredo navalis) at Chatham Dockyard, Brunel created a device that was used to form tunnels underground. Later appointed engineer to the Thames Tunnel Company (London) in 1824, Brunel began work on the Thames Tunnel, tunneling under the Thames River to link Rotherhithe with Wapping. Brunel’s son, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was appointed resident engineer for the project in 1827. Marc Brunel's work was recognized with a knighthhood in 1841, and the Thames Tunnel opened to pedestrians in 1843. Sir Marc Brunel’s importance as a civil engineer and inventor is apparent in this commissioned portrait. Brunel, peacefully sitting in front of his greatest achievement does not reflect the laborious and hazardous years involved with the tunnel’s creation. He does, however, display a sense of a wise man, achieving in life many of the technological advancements that became commonplace in the 19th century industrial world. We may soon anticipate a speedy and total change in the space of the maps of this great metropolis – in that portions of which has hitherto presented nothing but swampy desert – namely the parish of Rotherhithe…this parish will soon display a scene of activity that is not to be witnessed anywhere else. I speak from my own knowledge…when I tell you that there is no work upon which the public interest of foreign nations has been more excited than it has been upon this tunnel. Men cannot but see great political, military as well as commercial profit that will be derived from the example of such a work…
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