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This handlist is a guide to the work of those artists and engravers who depicted Cambridge between 1574 and 1900.
When Richard Lyne was commissioned to illustrate John Caius’ history of Cambridge in 1574 he produced an elevated view, with details such as a fisherman and his catch. The following year his work was copied and redrawn; the same fisherman is now seen from the rear – something the new artist could imagine – but he had no guide to the western elevation of King’s College chapel so he made it up. Any subsequent views must be taken with equal caution.
David Loggan has a reputation for accuracy in his Cantabrigia Illustrata, a series of architectural views of the colleges in 1690. But of his view of St Catharine’s he wrote that ‘the remains and ruins of the old college buildings were a sight too ugly to appear as a picture among the other colleges’. So he drew only the most recent buildings as well as those actually planned but not then finished – or ever completed.
Amongst published books of views are Ackermann’s History of the University of Cambridge, its Colleges, Halls and Public Buildings of 1815. It featured sixty-four topographical views in colour by a team which included Augustus Pugin, Frederick Mackenzie and William Westall, the finest exponents of their art. Cambridge artists such as the Harradens and Storers could not match them with their own volumes. But Richard Newby combined the architectural draughtsmanship of F. Mackenzie with the engraving skill of John Le Keux to produce views hailed as "decidedly superior to any hitherto published”. He also had the backing of William Wilkins, the architect of much of the new buildings in progress. It was ". The illustrations were published under the title "Memorials of Cambridge" issued in parts between 1837 and 1842
But the principal series of large engravings to be issued throughout this period were the Cambridge University Almanack prints issued annually from 1801 to 1855 including work by Joshua Baldrey, B. Rudge & J. Burford. There are however various other illustrators, including Joseph Murray Ince who produced a range of engravings of both town and gown, exteriors and interiors for ‘The Cambridge Portfolio’ published in 1838 by the Rev J.J. Smith, whilst Rock & Co issued thousands of engravings of Cambridge from 1851 onwards.
Two Cambridge artists William Beales Redfarn and Robert Farren produced volumes depicting town buildings threatened with demolition whilst a number of national illustrated journals featured Cambridge from time to time, chief being the Illustrated London News.
These and many more are preserved in the Cambridgeshire Collection in Lion Yard Library, Cambridge where there are detailed catalogues that will guide you to illustrations of places and subjects no matter where they appear.
The dates indicate a decade during which they principally illustrated Cambridge scenes.
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Ackermann,
Rudolph (1810)
Opened a print shop in the Strand in 1795 where he established a lithographic
press and issued an astonishing range of illustrated volumes covering the Arts,
Literature and Fashion. In 1815 he produced a ‘History of the University
of Cambridge, its Colleges, Halls and Public Buildings’. Its two volumes
of text were illustrated by sixty-four topographical views in colour by a team
which included Augustus Pugin, Frederick Mackenzie and William Westall, the
finest exponents of their art.
Baldrey,
Joshua Kirby (1800)
A name well-known in Cambridge artistic circles from 1782 to 1811. He had premises
opposite the Senate House from which he worked as portrait painter, drawing
master and engraver. In May 1809 published his masterpiece - a view of the East
window of King's college chapel. Despite his fame he died penniless at Hatfield
in 1828. His work featured amongst Cambridge University Almanack prints qv
Backhouse,
R (1830)
Work featured amongst Cambridge University Almanack prints qv
Barker,
H.A. (1810)
Work featured amongst Cambridge University Almanack prints qv
Bartlett,
W (1820)
Work featured amongst Cambridge University Almanack prints qv
Bell,
I.A. (1840)
Work features in Le Keux’s ‘Memorials’, qv
Buck,
Samuel (1730)
Journeyed throughout Britain with his brother Nathaniel, depicted Cambridge
Castle & School of Pythagoras in 1730s
Building
News (1860)
Architectural magazine founded in 1854, featured several Cambridge buildings
Bunbury,
Henry (1770)
Attended St Catharine’s college and acquired a reputation as a humorous
draughtsman with views of ungainly dons and awkward undergraduates – a
view of his Pot Fair was engraved by Thomas Rowlandson qv
Burford,
J (1810)
Work featured amongst Cambridge University Almanack prints qv
Burford,
R (1810)
Work featured amongst Cambridge University Almanack prints qv
Buss,
Robert William (1840)
Issued a series of engravings in 1842 including University students playing
cricket on Parker’s Piece
Cambridge
Advertiser (1840)
Newspaper published between 1839 & 1850 with a large illustrated supplement
on Trinity College in 1843
Cambridge
Guide, (1830)
Illustrated with ‘engravings of superior style designed and executed by
eminent artists’. Other guidebooks also include engravings
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Cambridge
University Almanack |
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Cambridge
University Almanack (1800-50)
A major series of large prints, issued annually from 1801 to 1855 including
work by Baldrey, B. Rudge, & J. Burford. They are listed in Willis and Clark
‘Architectural history of the University of Cambridge’ vol.1
Challis,
Ebeneezer (1840)
Engraved views of work on new University Library, proposals for Fitzwilliam
Museum and Round Church, 1840s. Work featured amongst Cambridge University Almanack
prints qv
Clarke,
John S. (1890)
Drawings appeared almost every week in Cambridge Express between 1892 &
1896 & were published in two series of “An artists rambles in Cambridgeshire”.
He also illustrated the Ely Diocesan Remembrancer & produced advertisements
for Kidman’s Builders.
Cole,
William (1760)
Clergyman and antiquarian, produced hundreds of original sketches of churches,
memorials and buildings. Many reproduced in ‘Monumental inscriptions and
coats of arms from Cambridgeshire’ and ‘William Cole of Milton’
by W.M. Palmer.
Day,
William & Haghe, Louis (1830)
Eminent lithographers, produced print of Addenbrooke's Hospital in 1835
Dighton,
Robert (1800)
Worked from London producing satirical portraits, including several from Cambridge
under the title ‘A view from …’ – the Peterhouse view
is Rev Francis Barnes. He also illustrated Richard Vaughan the stagecoach driver
and others. Dighton blotted his copy book by stealing etchings from the British
Museum and leaving a copy in its place but was the leading caricaturist of his
day; he died in London in 1814
Dodgson,
G (1840)
Work featured amongst Cambridge University Almanack prints qv
Farren
Robert (1880)
Born in Willow Walk, Newmarket Road in 1832 he worked as a heraldic artist &
in the Geological Museum mounting specimen and labelling cases. He published
books of engravings of the area including ‘The Granta and the Cam’
(1880) & ‘Cambridge and neighbourhood’ (1881). In 1885 he moved
to Scarborough but came back after eight years, dying in 1912.
Gradus
ad Cantabrigian (1820)
‘A new guide to the academical customs’ issued in 1824, illustrated
by six engravings including ‘The Battle of Peas Hill’
Graphic
(1880)
An illustrated newspaper featuring engravings by the best artists; featured
Cambridge in October 1887
Greig,
John (1810)
Engraver & painter whose work features in the ‘Antiquarian Itinerary’.
An associate of J.S. Storer; illustrated G. Dyer’s ‘History of the
University and College of Cambridge’, 1813
Hamond, John (1590)
A surveyor, he produced an accurate measured map of Cambridge in 1592 presenting
a bird’s-eye view of the town with the central area being especially clear.
It has been reproduced in the Cambridgeshire Records Society portfolio of old
Cambridge plans.
Harraden, Richard (1820) & Richard Bankes
A well-established artist and engraver published a series of views of University
of little merit; then with his son R.B. Harraden junior produced a series of
books including ‘Description of Cambridge’ (1800), ‘Cantabrigia
Depicta’ (1809) & ‘Illustrations of the university of Cambridge’
(1830)
Hollis,
G (1820)
Work featured amongst Cambridge University Almanack prints qv
Huber,
V.A (1840)
Published an account of the English Universities which was translated into English
in 1843; it contains a number of unusual illustrations: Geological museum, signing
exam book & Billiards
Humphrey,
H (1800)
Published ‘The Rake's Progress at the University’ in 1806 depicting
some of the mistakes that could blight the life of a new Undergraduate.
Illustrated
London News (1850)
Started in May 1842 to “bring the broad and palpable delineations of wood
engraving” to bear on every subject, included several Cambridgeshire scenes
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| Ince |
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Ince,
Joseph Murray, (1830)
In Cambridge from 1826 & commissioned to produce a range of engravings of
both town and gown, exteriors and interiors for ‘The Cambridge Portfolio’
(1838)
Kearnan,
T (1820)
Work featured amongst Cambridge University Almanack prints qv
Lamborn,
P.S (1790)
Produced engravings of views of the Backs, 1790s
Le
Keux, John (1830)
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Le Keux |
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Engraver whose work features in ‘Memorials of Cambridge’. In 1827 Richard Newby announced a series of views of the public buildings of' Cambridge combining the architectural draughtsmanship of F. Mackenzie with the engraving skill of John Le Keux. He also had the backing of William Wilkins, the architect of much of the new buildings in progress. The engravings, each 18 x 12 inches sold for between one & three guineas with the first due in August 1827 & others published at 6 monthly intervals. They were hailed by as ‘decidedly superior to any hitherto published’. The illustrations were subsequently published with text as ‘Memorials of Cambridge’ which was issued in parts between 1837 and 1842 and reproduced in a new edition by Charles Henry Cooper between 1860 & 1866.
Loggan,
David (1680)
Danish engraver who came to Cambridge and compiled a series of detailed architectural
views of colleges, starting with St Catharine’s college in 1676. The whole
set was issued as ‘Cantabrigia Illustrata’ in 1690. They are recognised
as accurate. They contain many details of everyday life such as barges &
horsemen as well as views across the open fields.
Lyne,
Richard (1570)
Commissioned to produce a map of Cambridge from the south to illustrate a history
by John Caius, published 1574. He was paid 30s to engrave it, with an extra
two shillings for colouring it in. It shows colleges and buildings and is the
first contemporary picture of Cambridge. It has been reproduced in the Cambridgeshire
Records Society portfolio of old Cambridge plans.
Mackenzie,
F (1810)
One of the ‘men of distinction and architectural draftsmen’ whose
work appears in Ackermann & Le Keux’s ‘Memorials’ q.v.
His architectural draftsmanship was hailed “as perfect as the almost unsurpassable
state of the art will permit”.
Malton,
Thomas (1790)
“An artist of superior excellence” was commissioned by David Hood
in 1798 to produce work more accurate than that of Richard Harraden
Mason,
William (1800)
Produced caricatures of Cambridge people such as Jacob Butler the squire of
Barnwell & Jemmy Gordeon in early 1800s
Neale,
John Preston (1820)
Depicted Holy Trinity church, 1824, King’s chapel and Senate House; work
noted for its accuracy
Pugin,
A (1810)
One of the ‘men of distinction and architectural draftsmen’ whose
work appears in Ackermann q.v.
Pyne,
W.H. (1810
One of the ‘men of distinction and architectural draftsmen’ whose
work appears in Ackermann q.v.
Rayner,
Louise (1880)
Exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1852 and subsequently settled at Chester
where she gave drawing lessons. Painted a view along Kings Parade and another
from the market about 1887.
Redfarn,
William Beales (1870)
An antiquarian with his private museum, founder of the New Theatre. He studied
art with J.F. Herring & in 1875 started to record the ancient buildings
of Cambridge that he feared would be lost, publishing a volume of ‘Old
Cambridge’ in 1876 & ‘Ancient wood and iron work in Cambridge’
in 1887
Relhan,
Richard (1820)
Watercolour artist who made original paintings of many Cambridgeshire churches
and scenes; his work is housed in the Cambridge University Library Map Room
and reproduced in Alison Taylor’s ‘Archaeology of Cambridgeshire’
vol.1 & 2. There is a Hand-list of the water-colour drawings relating to
Cambridgeshire made by G.M. Benton
Rock
& Co (1850)
A national company which issued scores of engravings of Cambridge in booklets
from 1851 onwards
Roget,
John Lewis (1850)
Son of the Thesaurus compiler who came up to Trinity in 1845; he compiled a
‘Cambridge Scrapbook’ – a pictorial record of the manners,
customs and pastimes in 1859
Rowlandson,
Thomas (1800)
Born in 1756, son of a London tradesman and became a Royal Academician. He produced
a number of views including Market Hill in 1801 which are noted for their humorous
interpretations and characters
Rudge,
B (1840)
Work featured amongst Cambridge University Almanack prints qv
Storer,
James and Henry (1830)
Issued a series of engravings between 1827 & 1837. James was born in Cambridge
in 1771 and made his name drawing and engraving scenes of Old England with John
Greig. Went into partnership with his eldest son Henry issuing four volumes
on the Cathedrals of Great Britain which was hailed as the most accurate views
of these buildings in existence. In 1827 announced the publication of their
first four plates on Cambridge. They produced volumes entitled ‘Illustrations
of Cambridge’ 1834, ‘Cantabrigia Illustrata’, 1835 and views
of King’s college chapel, Trinity college and college gateways (1837)
Toussaint,
Henri (1880)
Paris-born artist, engravings published in John Willis Clark's ‘Brief
Historical and Descriptive Notes on Cambridge’ published 1881
Westall, William (1800)
One of the ‘men of distinction and architectural draftsmen’ whose
work appears in Ackermann q.v.
Whymper,
Edward (1870)
Wood engraver who illustrated books for the S.P.C.K. & Religious Tract Society.
Illustrations appear in ‘Oxford and Cambridge’ by Frederick Arnold,
issued 1873.
I have my own copies of many such engravings; please feel free to contact me for any assistance.
M.J.
Petty MBE, MA, ALA,
13a Reads Street, Stretham,
Ely, Cambs. CB6 3JT
phone 01353 648106
E-mail mikepetty@tiscali.co.uk
January 2010
This guide is one of a series, please E-mail for a complete list
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