A View of Clare Mount, one of the Seats of his Grace the Duke of Newcastle

The impressive structure of Claremont country house, near Esher in Surrey, is viewed from a distance. Fashionably dressed people are seen enjoying the landscaped grounds, where deer roam. A carriage drawn by several horses and a horse-drawn cart travel through the grounds.

The original house at Claremont was designed by architect and playwright Sir John Vanbrugh and built in 1708 for his own use. In 1714 Vanbrugh sold the estate to Whig politician Thomas Pelham-Holles, Earl of Clare, who later became Duke of Newcastle and Prime Minister. Newcastle commissioned Vanbrugh to continue work on the house, adding two great wings and building a fortress-like turret nearby.

This print, engraved by Jacob Bonneau after a drawing by John Rocque, was published in London by Rocque in 1750, when the house was occupied by the Duke of Newcastle. The building is now in use as Claremont Fan Court School, while the landscaped gardens are owned by the National Trust.

John Rocque was a French etcher and engraver of topographical views after his contemporaries and his own designs; he also engraved maps. He took up residence in England in about 1750 and worked in London for some years. Among his works are two large views of Wanstead House in Essex.

Places

England, Surrey

Subjects

carriage, horseback, topography, genre, tree, dog, horse, deer, man, woman, 18th century costume, dress, coat, stockings, breeches, stone wall, gate, lawn, country house/mansion

Materials & Techniques

engraving, coloured engraving

Artist

John Rocque ( - 1762)
Jacob Bonneau (1741 - 1786)

Title

A View of Clare Mount, one of the Seats of his Grace the Duke of Newcastle

Date

published 1750

Medium

Coloured engraving

Acquisition

Purchased from Frank T Sabin, October 1963

GAC number

6222