SHEPHERD, Thomas Hosmer (1793–1864)

Oxford from the Meadows [original drawing for Dugdale's England and Wales, c.1840]

THE DREAMING SPIRES: ORIGINAL DRAWING FOR A WIDELY PUBLISHED ENGRAVING

Heavy paper mounted on to album paper, 196 x 138mm; image 106 x 64mm.

A delightful ink and wash drawing of Oxford from the meadows, showing boats on the water and the 'dreaming spires' in the background. By the renowned topographical artist Thomas Hosmer Shepherd (1793–1864), and published in a line engraving in Thomas Dugdale's monumental Curiosities of Great Britain: England & Wales Delineated (c.1840), and apparently reprinted elsewhere, as many later impressions can be found.

Shepherd was a London-based artist, best known for his work for Metropolitan Improvements (1827–29), Ackermann’s Repository of the Arts (1809), and Tallis's London street views, 1838–1840. His architectural work, especially in London, is justly famous (notably from the Frederick Crace Collection), but his landscape views are no less accomplished – here elements of both combine. Individual buildings can be identified, including Tom Tower and the Radcliffe Camera. A copy of the engraving is also included.

Good condition: heavy paper mounted onto an album sheet, surface slightly grubby and a little age-toned. Not signed but from a large group of Shepherd's drawings.