Engraved by F. L. Griggs, drawn by Sir Muirhead Bone
The Ashmolean and Balliol College, Oxford

Lithograph
31 x 47 cm

Frederick Landseer Maur Griggs was a British etcher, draughtsman, and illustrator known for his highly detailed and atmospheric depictions of the English countryside. Born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, in 1876, he trained at the Slade School of Fine Art in London before working as an illustrator for The Highways and Byways book series.

Griggs became one of the leading figures of the British etching revival in the early 20th century. His works, often depicting medieval-inspired landscapes and architectural scenes, evoke a deep sense of nostalgia and romanticism. His meticulous technique and ability to capture mood through fine lines and shading earned him a place in the Royal Academy and the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers.

Later in life, he settled in Chipping Campden, where he dedicated himself to preserving traditional English architecture. His etchings remain celebrated for their poetic detail and craftsmanship. Griggs passed away in 1938, leaving behind a legacy as one of Britain’s finest etchers.

This lithograph of an etching he completed of the Ashmolean and Balliol College showcases both his strong sense of architectural perspective and his ability to masterfully capture the atmosphere of a scene: scholars walk by in gowns, city dwellers trundle down the wide Oxford streets on their bikes, one person advertises a play taking place in Oxford at the time. This is not a mere architectural drawing, but is rather a living breathing city scape, though black-and-white it is full of the colour of urban life.

Condition: Generally very good.

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