Hidden Victorian Bridge Painting Discovered on Back of Geological Map
A watercolor of the Dryburgh Suspension Bridge, painted in the 1870s by geologist Benjamin Peach, was accidentally discovered on the reverse of a geological field map after being hidden for 150 years. The artwork, found by Luis Albornoz-Parra of the British Geological Survey (BGS) while researching building stones for Historic Environment Scotland, depicts the third bridge at the site, which was completed in 1872. The discovery highlights the dual skills of 19th-century geologists who often sketched landscapes during fieldwork. The painting is now recognized as a unique record of the Victorian landscape and Peach’s artistic talent, complementing his significant contributions to resolving the Highlands Controversy in geology.