An Extensive View of Manchester, from the South-West, with Wood-Sawyers in the Foreground (c.1820), John Ralston

An oil painting by john ralston (1789-1833), scottish artist, produced circa 1820. In the foreground two sawyers are cutting up a large fallen tree, while in the background the city of manchester is sprawling into the surrounding countryside, with large chimneys bellowing smoke into the air. The view was probably from taken from broughton or kersal, looking north-east, with the river irwell in the foreground. Manchester cathedral may be seen to the left of the main body of the city and the pennines are visible in the distance. Date: 1820.