The North-West Prospect of the University, and Town of Cambridge

Location

Country: Korea, Republic of (South Korea)
City: Seoul
Place: British Embassy

This panoramic view was published in the early 18th century by brothers Samuel and Nathaniel Buck. In 1720 Samuel and Nathaniel Buck published two panoramic views or ‘prospects’ of English towns: Leeds and Wakefield. The success of these prints led to a project to produce a further eight town prospects (1720–25). In 1828, the brothers extended the project to record prospects of every remaining principal town of England and Wales. Each was drawn at a rural spot, some distance from the town itself and, when possible, from a height. The prospects were published with a numbered key and descriptive text below the image. 

Brothers Samuel and Nathaniel Buck made their names as leading British topographical draughtsmen of the 18th century. Over a period of 34 years, the Bucks produced several hundred drawings and engravings, including 87 engraved prospects of England and Wales. These are now important visual records of the appearance of British urban landscapes prior to the changes that occurred during the Industrial Revolution. In some cases, the places depicted have since disappeared or changed beyond recognition.

Places

England, Cambridgeshire

Subjects

topography, townscape/cityscape, tree, hill, man, woman, 18th century costume, academic gown, dress, college, coat of arms, university, chapel, church, spire

Materials & Techniques

engraving, coloured engraving

Artist

Samuel and Nathaniel Buck (1696 - 1779)

Title

The North-West Prospect of the University, and Town of Cambridge

Date

25 March 1743

Medium

Coloured engraving

Dimensions

height: 45.20 cm, width: 86.40 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from the Parker Gallery, October 1964

GAC number

6736