Description

Richard Bankes Harraden
Queen’s College, Cambridge

Engraving
40 x 54 cm
Inscribed to the bottom: ‘Published June 16th 1798 by R. Harraden.’

A late eighteenth-century view of Queens’ College, Cambridge and a snapshot of history. This engraving depicts a view from the edge of Coe Fen, looking over Queens’ College and Silver Street Bridge. The appearance of this scene differs greatly from its current look, with Mathematical Bridge now nestled behind the stone bridge, as students and tourist bustle past. Harraden’s engraving has an almost rural quality to it, with a man walking his horse through the Cam and trees towering over the river banks. For those familiar with the area now, with its punts and pubs, this engraving is a striking historical document, showing the city of days gone by.

Richard Bankes Harraden was a printmaker, painter, and drawing master. He was active in Cambridge, producing many views of the colleges, and subsequently several Oxford colleges. Harraden was an early and exhibiting member of the Society of British Artists in London, which was established in 1823, and remained a member until 1849. He specialised in depictions of landscape, topography and architecture, and was the son of Richard Harraden (1756 – 1838) with whom he published plates as ‘Harraden & Son’.

Condition: Generally very good.

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