The South West Prospect of the University, and City of Oxford

Location

Country: Belarus
City: Minsk
Place: British Embassy

This view or ‘prospect’ of Oxford shows the historic city as it was in the early 18th century. The view is dominated by the towers and spires of the many religious and academic buildings of Oxford. Above each, there is a number which refers to the key below.

This panorama is part of a series of prospects of England and Wales, produced by brothers Samuel and Nathaniel Buck between 1728 and 1753. The brothers undertook tours around England and Wales every year, producing detailed views of the locations they visited. They would typically plan their travels carefully, advertising their work in the local press of the places they intended to visit before arriving, in the hope of attracting potential subscribers. The prospects were published over a number of years and were made available to non-subscribers only after all the impressions had been collected.

The south-west prospect of Oxford was taken from North Hinksey Hill from where many of the city’s familiar landmarks could be viewed.

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, Oxfordshire

Subjects

topography, townscape/cityscape, tree, river, hill, college, coat of arms, university, house, church, cathedral, spire, tower

Materials & Techniques

engraving

Artist

Samuel and Nathaniel Buck (1696 - 1779)

Title

The South West Prospect of the University, and City of Oxford

Date

1731

Medium

Engraving

Acquisition

Purchased from Parker Gallery, October 1970

GAC number

9011