A North-West View of Haddon etc., an Ancient Seat belonging to his Grace the Duke of Rutland

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Government Art Collection

This is one of 15 large prints engraved by Francois Vivares, after paintings by Thomas Smith. The prints were first published between 1743 and 1749. It seems likely that they were made in Derby, for on 4 September 1744 Vivares’ son, Thomas (who would become a designer and landscape engraver), was baptised at All Saints' Church, Derby.

Thomas Smith of Derby was a topographical and picturesque landscape painter who lived in Bridgegate, Derby. He exhibited at the Society of Artists and the Free Society of Artists from 1760 to 1767. Several examples of his work include groups of elegant tourists admiring views of country estates. He took his art sufficiently seriously to name both his sons after great painters, calling them Thomas Correggio Smith and John Raphael Smith (who continued the tradition by naming his son John Rubens Smith). Both of his sons naturally became artists, as did his daughter, Emma. Smith died on 5 September 1767 in Hotwells, a district of Bristol.
Francois Vivares was born near Montpellier, France. He was apprenticed to a tailor but made drawings, etchings and engravings in his spare time. He moved to London, aged 18, to study under French engraver and draughtsman Jean-Baptiste-Claude Chatelain and later under Italian painter Jacopo Amigoni. By 1744 he was publishing prints. He opened a print shop near Leicester Fields (now Leicester Square), producing prints after his own work, that of his pupils and ‘of the best Masters’. He became one of the most renowned landscape engravers of his time and is particularly known for engravings after the works of French painter Claude Lorrain. In 1766, he became a member of the Incorporated Society of Artists. He died in London, aged 71.

Places

England, Haddon Hall, Derbyshire

Subjects

horseback, topography, landscape C18th, tree, horse, river, hill, coat of arms, field, bridge (rural), garden, country house/mansion

Materials & Techniques

engraving

Artist

Thomas, (of Derby) Smith (c.1720 - 24-1767)
Francois Vivares (1709 - 1780)

Title

A North-West View of Haddon etc., an Ancient Seat belonging to his Grace the Duke of Rutland

Date

published 25 October 1744

Medium

Engraving

Acquisition

Purchased from Colnaghi, October 1953

GAC number

2323