A panoramic pen, ink, and watercolour depiction of the extravagant chairing procession that followed the election of Henry Bright as an MP for Bristol in March 1820, by Bristol-born artist Henry Smith. The sweeping view of the victory procession (central to which is Bright's flamboyant 'chair') is made up of separate sheets. The drawing is dedicated to Bright's father, Richard Bright of Ham Green, Somerset. In his dedication, Smith claims that in 'This Representation of the Chairing of his Son Henry Bright Esq[ui]r[e] as Member of Parliament for the City & County of Bristol in March 1820', he has 'endeavour'd to avoid the personal likeness of any individual' although 'amongst the numerous figures ... possibly some may be fancied'. Smith also writes that the drawing's 'merit, if any, consists in the faithful representation of the procession, and also exhibiting parts of the local scenery of Bristol, thro' which it passed'. Various aspects of this scenery are identified at the bottom of the image.
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery; Mb6425
Images © Bristol Culture & Creative Industries, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
