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David Loggan (1634-1692)
Magdalen College, Oxford (1674)
Engraving, 32 x 42cm Loggan was born to English and Scottish parents, and was baptised in Danzig in 1634. After studying engraving in Danzig with Willem Hondius (1598-1652 or 1658), he moved to London in the late 1650s, going on to produce the engraved title-page for the folio 1662 Book of Common Prayer. He married in 1663 and moved to Nuffield in Oxfordshire in 1665. Loggan was appointed Public Sculptor to the nearby University of Oxford in the late 1660s, having been commissioned to produce bird’s-eye views of all the Oxford colleges. He lived in Holywell Street as he did this. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' was published in 1675, with the help of Robert White (1645-1704). Following its completion, Loggan began work on his equivalent work for Cambridge; the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' was finally published in 1690, when he was made engraver to Cambridge University. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' also includes an engraving of Winchester College (Winchester and New College share William of Wykeham as their founder) whilst the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' includes one of Eton College (which shares its founder, Henry VIII, with King’s College). Bird’s-eye views from this era required a particular talent as an architectural perspectivist; it was not until 1783 that it became possible for artists to ascend via hot air balloons and view the scenes they were depicting from above. Loggan thus had to rely on his imagination in conceiving the views. Loggan’s views constitute the first accurate depictions of the two Universities, in many ways unchanged today. Whilst the Oxford engravings were produced in reasonable numbers and ran to a second edition by Henry Overton (on thicker paper and with a plate number in Roman numerals in the bottom right-hand corner), those of Cambridge were printed in much smaller numbers. The Dutchman Pieter van der Aa published some miniature versions of the engravings for James Beverell’s guidebook to the UK, 'Les Delices de la Grande Bretagne' (c. 1708). The contemporary artist Andrew Ingamells (b.1956) has produced a highly-acclaimed series of etchings which bring Loggan’s original vision up to date. Condition: generally very good. If you’d like to know more, please email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056. -
David Loggan (1634-1692) Corpus Christi College, Oxford Engraving, 1675 30x41cm Loggan was born to English and Scottish parents, and was baptised in Danzig in 1634. After studying engraving in Danzig with Willem Hondius (1598-1652 or 1658), he moved to London in the late 1650s, going on to produce the engraved title-page for the folio 1662 Book of Common Prayer. He married in 1663 and moved to Nuffield in Oxfordshire in 1665. Loggan was appointed Public Sculptor to the nearby University of Oxford in the late 1660s, having been commissioned to produce bird’s-eye views of all the Oxford colleges. He lived in Holywell Street as he did this. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' was published in 1675, with the help of Robert White (1645-1704). Following its completion, Loggan began work on his equivalent work for Cambridge; the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' was finally published in 1690, when he was made engraver to Cambridge University. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' also includes an engraving of Winchester College (Winchester and New College share William of Wykeham as their founder) whilst the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' includes one of Eton College (which shares its founder, Henry VIII, with King’s College). Bird’s-eye views from this era required a particular talent as an architectural perspectivist; it was not until 1783 that it became possible for artists to ascend via hot air balloons and view the scenes they were depicting from above. Loggan thus had to rely on his imagination in conceiving the views. Loggan’s views constitute the first accurate depictions of the two Universities, in many ways unchanged today. Whilst the Oxford engravings were produced in reasonable numbers and ran to a second edition by Henry Overton (on thicker paper and with a plate number in Roman numerals in the bottom right-hand corner), those of Cambridge were printed in much smaller numbers. The Dutchman Pieter van der Aa published some miniature versions of the engravings for James Beverell’s guidebook to the UK, 'Les Delices de la Grande Bretagne' (c. 1708). The contemporary artist Andrew Ingamells (b.1956) has produced a highly-acclaimed series of etchings which bring Loggan’s original vision up to date. If you’d like to know more, please email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056. Condition: Good, some spots, repair to central fold. -
David Loggan (1634 - 1692)
University College, Oxford (1675)
Engraving 29 x 40 cm Loggan's view of Univ from the 'Oxonia Illustrata'. Loggan was born to English and Scottish parents, and was baptised in Danzig in 1634. After studying engraving in Danzig with Willem Hondius (1598-1652 or 1658), he moved to London in the late 1650s, going on to produce the engraved title-page for the folio 1662 Book of Common Prayer. He married in 1663 and moved to Nuffield in Oxfordshire in 1665. Loggan was appointed Public Sculptor to the nearby University of Oxford in the late 1660s, having been commissioned to produce bird’s-eye views of all the Oxford colleges. He lived in Holywell Street as he did this. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' was published in 1675, with the help of Robert White (1645 - 1704). Following its completion, Loggan began work on his equivalent work for Cambridge; the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' was finally published in 1690, when he was made engraver to Cambridge University. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' also includes an engraving of Winchester College (Winchester and New College share William of Wykeham as their founder) whilst the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' includes one of Eton College (which shares its founder, Henry VIII, with King’s College). Bird’s-eye views from this era required a particular talent as an architectural perspectivist; it was not until 1783 that it became possible for artists to ascend via hot air balloons and view the scenes they were depicting from above. Loggan thus had to rely on his imagination in conceiving the views. Loggan’s views constitute the first accurate depictions of the two Universities, in many ways unchanged today. Whilst the Oxford engravings were produced in reasonable numbers and ran to a second edition by Henry Overton (on thicker paper and with a plate number in Roman numerals in the bottom right-hand corner), those of Cambridge were printed in much smaller numbers. The Dutchman Pieter van der Aa published some miniature versions of the engravings for James Beverell’s guidebook to the UK, 'Les Delices de la Grande Bretagne' (circa 1708). The contemporary artist Andrew Ingamells has produced a highly-acclaimed series of etchings which bring Loggan’s original vision up to date. Condition: generally very good. If you’d like to know more, please email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056. -
David Loggan (1634 - 1692)
Trinity College, Oxford (1705)
Engraving 32 x 41 cm Loggan's view of Trinity from the second edition of the 'Oxonia Illustrata'. Loggan was born to English and Scottish parents, and was baptised in Danzig in 1634. After studying engraving in Danzig with Willem Hondius (1598-1652 or 1658), he moved to London in the late 1650s, going on to produce the engraved title-page for the folio 1662 Book of Common Prayer. He married in 1663 and moved to Nuffield in Oxfordshire in 1665. Loggan was appointed Public Sculptor to the nearby University of Oxford in the late 1660s, having been commissioned to produce bird’s-eye views of all the Oxford colleges. He lived in Holywell Street as he did this. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' was published in 1675, with the help of Robert White (1645 - 1704). Following its completion, Loggan began work on his equivalent work for Cambridge; the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' was finally published in 1690, when he was made engraver to Cambridge University. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' also includes an engraving of Winchester College (Winchester and New College share William of Wykeham as their founder) whilst the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' includes one of Eton College (which shares its founder, Henry VIII, with King’s College). Bird’s-eye views from this era required a particular talent as an architectural perspectivist; it was not until 1783 that it became possible for artists to ascend via hot air balloons and view the scenes they were depicting from above. Loggan thus had to rely on his imagination in conceiving the views. Loggan’s views constitute the first accurate depictions of the two Universities, in many ways unchanged today. Whilst the Oxford engravings were produced in reasonable numbers and ran to a second edition by Henry Overton (on thicker paper and with a plate number in Roman numerals in the bottom right-hand corner), those of Cambridge were printed in much smaller numbers. The Dutchman Pieter van der Aa published some miniature versions of the engravings for James Beverell’s guidebook to the UK, 'Les Delices de la Grande Bretagne' (circa 1708). The contemporary artist Andrew Ingamells has produced a highly-acclaimed series of etchings which bring Loggan’s original vision up to date. Condition: generally very good; second edition. If you’d like to know more, please email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056. -
David Loggan (1634 - 1692)
The University of Oxford Botanic Garden (1675)
Engraving 40 x 50 cm An eighteenth-century view of one of Oxford's dreamiest spaces: the Botanic Garden, engraved by David Loggan, the noted engraver, draughtsman, and painter. The University of Oxford Botanic Garden was founded in 1621 and is the oldest botanical garden in Great Britain. Loggan's engraving focuses on its architectural qualities, with four features of the garden highlighted for their beauty, symmetry, and prowess of design. Of particular interest in this etching are the six trompe l'oeil pieces: four gently curling pieces of paper which frame the gates of the garden, and two heraldic banners borne by cherubs and sporting legends about the garden's foundation. The Danby Gate (bottom left) at the front entrance to the garden is one of the three entrances designed by Nicholas Stone between 1632 and 1633. The gateway consists of three bays, each with a pediment; the niches contain statues of Charles I and Charles II in classical pose, and the niche in the the central pediment contains a bust of the Earl of Danby (hence the gate's name). Loggan was born to English and Scottish parents, and was baptised in Danzig in 1634. After studying engraving in Danzig with Willem Hondius (1598-1652 or 1658), he moved to London in the late 1650s, going on to produce the engraved title-page for the folio 1662 Book of Common Prayer. He married in 1663 and moved to Nuffield in Oxfordshire in 1665. Loggan was appointed Public Sculptor to the nearby University of Oxford in the late 1660s, having been commissioned to produce bird’s-eye views of all the Oxford colleges. He lived in Holywell Street as he did this. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' was published in 1675, with the help of Robert White (1645 - 1704). Following its completion, Loggan began work on his equivalent work for Cambridge; the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' was finally published in 1690, when he was made engraver to Cambridge University. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' also includes an engraving of Winchester College (Winchester and New College share William of Wykeham as their founder) whilst the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' includes one of Eton College (which shares its founder, Henry VIII, with King’s College). Bird’s-eye views from this era required a particular talent as an architectural perspectivist; it was not until 1783 that it became possible for artists to ascend via hot air balloons and view the scenes they were depicting from above. Loggan thus had to rely on his imagination in conceiving the views. Loggan’s views constitute the first accurate depictions of the two Universities, in many ways unchanged today. Whilst the Oxford engravings were produced in reasonable numbers and ran to a second edition by Henry Overton (on thicker paper and with a plate number in Roman numerals in the bottom right-hand corner), those of Cambridge were printed in much smaller numbers. The Dutchman Pieter van der Aa published some miniature versions of the engravings for James Beverell’s guidebook to the UK, 'Les Delices de la Grande Bretagne' (circa 1708). The contemporary artist Andrew Ingamells has produced a highly-acclaimed series of etchings which bring Loggan’s original vision up to date. Condition: slight toning to central margin, odd marginal losses. If you’d like to know more, please email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056. -
David Loggan (1634 - 1692)
New College, Oxford (1705)
Engraving 31 x 49 cm Loggan was born to English and Scottish parents, and was baptised in Danzig in 1634. After studying engraving in Danzig with Willem Hondius (1598-1652 or 1658), he moved to London in the late 1650s, going on to produce the engraved title-page for the folio 1662 Book of Common Prayer. He married in 1663 and moved to Nuffield in Oxfordshire in 1665. Loggan was appointed Public Sculptor to the nearby University of Oxford in the late 1660s, having been commissioned to produce bird’s-eye views of all the Oxford colleges. He lived in Holywell Street as he did this. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' was published in 1675, with the help of Robert White (1645 - 1704). Following its completion, Loggan began work on his equivalent work for Cambridge; the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' was finally published in 1690, when he was made engraver to Cambridge University. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' also includes an engraving of Winchester College (Winchester and New College share William of Wykeham as their founder) whilst the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' includes one of Eton College (which shares its founder, Henry VIII, with King’s College). Bird’s-eye views from this era required a particular talent as an architectural perspectivist; it was not until 1783 that it became possible for artists to ascend via hot air balloons and view the scenes they were depicting from above. Loggan thus had to rely on his imagination in conceiving the views. Loggan’s views constitute the first accurate depictions of the two Universities, in many ways unchanged today. Whilst the Oxford engravings were produced in reasonable numbers and ran to a second edition by Henry Overton (on thicker paper and with a plate number in Roman numerals in the bottom right-hand corner), those of Cambridge were printed in much smaller numbers. The Dutchman Pieter van der Aa published some miniature versions of the engravings for James Beverell’s guidebook to the UK, 'Les Delices de la Grande Bretagne' (circa 1708). The contemporary artist Andrew Ingamells has produced a highly-acclaimed series of etchings which bring Loggan’s original vision up to date. Condition: repaired tear to central fold; has been washed. If you’d like to know more, please email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056. -
Bernard Cecil Gotch (1876-1964)
Queen's College, Oxford
Watercolour 28 x 39 cm (51 x 64 cm framed) Signed lower right. Queen's College in all its leafy glory. The dreaming spires of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, the Radcliffe Camera, and All Souls peep over the quad. Bernard Cecil Gotch was a Winchester-born artist who is best known for his atmospheric watercolours of Britain's towns and cities (most notably Oxford). He moved to Oxford in 1927, painting many watercolours of the interiors and exteriors of Oxford’s many buildings. His works concentrate on the grand exteriors and interiors of the University's colleges, and he exhibited frequently - including an exhibition every term at Oriel College. His first notable commission was for the publisher Methuen, illustrating 'A Shepherd’s Life' by W H Hudson. Whilst in London he was invited to illustrate a book on the Public Schools of England (which was sadly never completed). He exhibited watercolours at the Fine Art Society and Lincolns Inn, and also exhibited at the Royal Academy. In 1952 Gotch was given an Honorary MA by the University of Oxford, and, after his death in 1963, a memorial was held for him at Oriel. Condition: very good; original frame & mount (some ageing to the latter). If you’d like to know more, please email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056. Click here for other views of Queen's College, Oxford. -
William Matthison (1853-1926)
All Saints Church and Carfax in the Evening, Oxford
Watercolour 25 x 17 cm Matthison was born near Birmingham and attended King Edward's School in the city. He learned drawing at the Birmingham Central School of Art and then became a pupil of Birmingham artist Edward Watson. He became a professional artist in 1875 and moved to Oxfordshire a few years after; this was where he had the opportunity to produce many of the Oxford views for which he is known today. In 1902 he moved to Park Town in Oxford and was commissioned by Robert Peel to paint more than seventy views of the University of Oxford, which were subsequently made into postcards. Priced at seven for a shilling, they were only available from E Cross of Pembroke Street (a long-since closed business). Raphael Tuck & Sons also commissioned him to produce postcard scenes of Cambridge. Matthison's views of Oxford were later printed in Fifty Watercolour Drawings of Oxford, published in 1912 by Alden & Co. Click here for other works by the artist. If you are interested, please email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056. -
Bernard Cecil Gotch (1876-1964)
The Bodleian Library, Oxford: Passageway into the Old Schools Quandrangle
Watercolour 49 x 35 cm Signed in pencil lower right. An enticing view of the passageway leading into the Old Schools Quad of the Bodleian Library. Through the gateway, we see the passageway leading out of the Quad onto the other side, into Radcliffe Square. A glimpse of the Radcliffe Camera, surrounded by its green lawn, is visible through the two passages. Bernard Cecil Gotch was a Winchester-born artist who is best known for his atmospheric watercolours of Britain's towns and cities (most notably Oxford). He moved to Oxford in 1927, painting many watercolours of the interiors and exteriors of Oxford’s many buildings. His works concentrate on the grand exteriors and interiors of the University's colleges, and he exhibited frequently - including an exhibition every term at Oriel College. His first notable commission was for the publisher Methuen, illustrating 'A Shepherd’s Life' by W H Hudson. Whilst in London he was invited to illustrate a book on the Public Schools of England (which was sadly never completed). He exhibited watercolours at the Fine Art Society and Lincolns Inn, and also exhibited at the Royal Academy. In 1952 Gotch was given an Honorary MA by the University of Oxford, and, after his death in 1963, a memorial was held for him at Oriel. Condition: very good. Framed, with washline mount. If you’d like to know more, please email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056. -
David Loggan (1634 - 1692)
Pembroke College, Oxford (1705)
Engraving 31 x 44 cm Loggan's view of Pembroke from the second edition of the 'Oxonia Illustrata'. Loggan was born to English and Scottish parents, and was baptised in Danzig in 1634. After studying engraving in Danzig with Willem Hondius (1598-1652 or 1658), he moved to London in the late 1650s, going on to produce the engraved title-page for the folio 1662 Book of Common Prayer. He married in 1663 and moved to Nuffield in Oxfordshire in 1665. Loggan was appointed Public Sculptor to the nearby University of Oxford in the late 1660s, having been commissioned to produce bird’s-eye views of all the Oxford colleges. He lived in Holywell Street as he did this. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' was published in 1675, with the help of Robert White (1645-1704). Following its completion, Loggan began work on his equivalent work for Cambridge; the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' was finally published in 1690, when he was made engraver to Cambridge University. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' also includes an engraving of Winchester College (Winchester and New College share William of Wykeham as their founder) whilst the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' includes one of Eton College (which shares its founder, Henry VIII, with King’s College). Bird’s-eye views from this era required a particular talent as an architectural perspectivist; it was not until 1783 that it became possible for artists to ascend via hot air balloons and view the scenes they were depicting from above. Loggan thus had to rely on his imagination in conceiving the views. Loggan’s views constitute the first accurate depictions of the two Universities, in many ways unchanged today. Whilst the Oxford engravings were produced in reasonable numbers and ran to a second edition by Henry Overton (on thicker paper and with a plate number in Roman numerals in the bottom right-hand corner), those of Cambridge were printed in much smaller numbers. The Dutchman Pieter van der Aa published some miniature versions of the engravings for James Beverell’s guidebook to the UK, 'Les Delices de la Grande Bretagne' (circa 1708). The contemporary artist Andrew Ingamells (born 1956) has produced a highly-acclaimed series of etchings which bring Loggan’s original vision up to date. Condition: good. Backed to Japanese Paper. Evidence of some historic separation to central fold. If you are interested, please email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056. Click here for other views of Pembroke College, Oxford. -
Edwin La Dell (1914-1970)
The High, Oxford
Lithograph 49 x 64 cm Signed, titled, and number 28/80 in pencil. A beautiful depiction of the golden Headington stone of Queen's College on the High Street, Oxford. The cupola above the college's entrance, and, in the background, the shadowy spire of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, rise into the blustery sky. La Dell studied at the Sheffield School of Art, where he won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art. From 1934 to 1940 John Nash was the head of printmaking there, and taught La Dell. La Dell himself became head of lithography there in 1948, and remained in post until his death. During the war La Dell was an official war artist and a camofleur, but he is probably best known for his lithographs of Oxford and Cambridge that he published himself. His works are widely held in the public collections, including the Royal Academy and the Government Art Collection, the latter of which holds many of his views of Cambridge. Condition: very good. If you are interested, please email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056. Click here for other views of Queen's College, Oxford. -
James Greig (1861-1941)
Magdalen College, Oxford
Watercolour 28 x 38.5cm (11 x 15 in.) Greig was born in Arbroath, moving in 1891 to London to study art and furthering his education in Paris between 1895 and 1896. Returning to London he produced magazine illustrations for publications such as Punch and The Sketch in black and white. He was art critic for the Morning Post, showing his skills at writing as an historian, also editing the diaries of the landscape painter Joseph Farington (1747-1821) and publishing articles on Gainsborough and Raeburn. Elected Member of the Royal Society of British Artists in 1898 he was renowned for his colourful landscapes of the middle east and his views of Oxford. He also designed posters for Union Castle Line and P&O. If you are interested email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056. -
David Loggan (1634-1692)
Oriel College, Oxford (1674)
Engraving, 40 x 26.7cm Loggan was born to English and Scottish parents, and was baptised in Danzig in 1634. After studying engraving in Danzig with Willem Hondius (1598-1652 or 1658), he moved to London in the late 1650s, going on to produce the engraved title-page for the folio 1662 Book of Common Prayer. He married in 1663 and moved to Nuffield in Oxfordshire in 1665. Loggan was appointed Public Sculptor to the nearby University of Oxford in the late 1660s, having been commissioned to produce bird’s-eye views of all the Oxford colleges. He lived in Holywell Street as he did this. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' was published in 1675, with the help of Robert White (1645-1704). Following its completion, Loggan began work on his equivalent work for Cambridge; the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' was finally published in 1690, when he was made engraver to Cambridge University. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' also includes an engraving of Winchester College (Winchester and New College share William of Wykeham as their founder) whilst the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' includes one of Eton College (which shares its founder, Henry VIII, with King’s College). Bird’s-eye views from this era required a particular talent as an architectural perspectivist; it was not until 1783 that it became possible for artists to ascend via hot air balloons and view the scenes they were depicting from above. Loggan thus had to rely on his imagination in conceiving the views. Loggan’s views constitute the first accurate depictions of the two Universities, in many ways unchanged today. Whilst the Oxford engravings were produced in reasonable numbers and ran to a second edition by Henry Overton (on thicker paper and with a plate number in Roman numerals in the bottom right-hand corner), those of Cambridge were printed in much smaller numbers. The Dutchman Pieter van der Aa published some miniature versions of the engravings for James Beverell’s guidebook to the UK, 'Les Delices de la Grande Bretagne' (c. 1708). The contemporary artist Andrew Ingamells (b.1956) has produced a highly-acclaimed series of etchings which bring Loggan’s original vision up to date. Condition: generally very good. If you’d like to know more, please email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056. -
David Loggan (1634-1692)
Canterbury Quad, St John's College, Oxford
Engraving, 1675 32 x 51cm Loggan was born to English and Scottish parents, and was baptised in Danzig in 1634. After studying engraving in Danzig with Willem Hondius (1598-1652 or 1658), he moved to London in the late 1650s, going on to produce the engraved title-page for the folio 1662 Book of Common Prayer. He married in 1663 and moved to Nuffield in Oxfordshire in 1665. Loggan was appointed Public Sculptor to the nearby University of Oxford in the late 1660s, having been commissioned to produce bird’s-eye views of all the Oxford colleges. He lived in Holywell Street as he did this. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' was published in 1675, with the help of Robert White (1645-1704). Following its completion, Loggan began work on his equivalent work for Cambridge; the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' was finally published in 1690, when he was made engraver to Cambridge University. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' also includes an engraving of Winchester College (Winchester and New College share William of Wykeham as their founder) whilst the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' includes one of Eton College (which shares its founder, Henry VIII, with King’s College). Bird’s-eye views from this era required a particular talent as an architectural perspectivist; it was not until 1783 that it became possible for artists to ascend via hot air balloons and view the scenes they were depicting from above. Loggan thus had to rely on his imagination in conceiving the views. Loggan’s views constitute the first accurate depictions of the two Universities, in many ways unchanged today. Whilst the Oxford engravings were produced in reasonable numbers and ran to a second edition by Henry Overton (on thicker paper and with a plate number in Roman numerals in the bottom right-hand corner), those of Cambridge were printed in much smaller numbers. The Dutchman Pieter van der Aa published some miniature versions of the engravings for James Beverell’s guidebook to the UK, 'Les Delices de la Grande Bretagne' (c. 1708). The contemporary artist Andrew Ingamells (b.1956) has produced a highly-acclaimed series of etchings which bring Loggan’s original vision up to date. Condition: excellent. If you’d like to know more, please email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056. -
David Loggan (1634-1692)
Jesus College, Oxford
Engraving, 1675 30 x 41cm Loggan was born to English and Scottish parents, and was baptised in Danzig in 1634. After studying engraving in Danzig with Willem Hondius (1598-1652 or 1658), he moved to London in the late 1650s, going on to produce the engraved title-page for the folio 1662 Book of Common Prayer. He married in 1663 and moved to Nuffield in Oxfordshire in 1665. Loggan was appointed Public Sculptor to the nearby University of Oxford in the late 1660s, having been commissioned to produce bird’s-eye views of all the Oxford colleges. He lived in Holywell Street as he did this. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' was published in 1675, with the help of Robert White (1645-1704). Following its completion, Loggan began work on his equivalent work for Cambridge; the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' was finally published in 1690, when he was made engraver to Cambridge University. The 'Oxonia Illustrata' also includes an engraving of Winchester College (Winchester and New College share William of Wykeham as their founder) whilst the 'Cantabrigia Illustrata' includes one of Eton College (which shares its founder, Henry VIII, with King’s College). Bird’s-eye views from this era required a particular talent as an architectural perspectivist; it was not until 1783 that it became possible for artists to ascend via hot air balloons and view the scenes they were depicting from above. Loggan thus had to rely on his imagination in conceiving the views. Loggan’s views constitute the first accurate depictions of the two Universities, in many ways unchanged today. Whilst the Oxford engravings were produced in reasonable numbers and ran to a second edition by Henry Overton (on thicker paper and with a plate number in Roman numerals in the bottom right-hand corner), those of Cambridge were printed in much smaller numbers. The Dutchman Pieter van der Aa published some miniature versions of the engravings for James Beverell’s guidebook to the UK, 'Les Delices de la Grande Bretagne' (c. 1708). The contemporary artist Andrew Ingamells (b.1956) has produced a highly-acclaimed series of etchings which bring Loggan’s original vision up to date. Condition: excellent. If you’d like to know more, please email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056.
