Ruins in the Bishop's Garden, Norwich, by J. Le Keux after Hodgson, circa 1830

About this sheet

An original antique engraving of the ruined Gothic building in the Bishop's Garden at Norwich, drawn by D. Hodgson and engraved by John Le Keux for John Britton's Picturesque Antiquities of the English Cities, published around 1830, with later hand color.

At the center stands the ivy covered shell of a fourteenth century structure, its front pierced by a deep pointed arch with carved niches and a pair of tall traceried windows above, a smaller arch at the side. Trees close in at right, and beyond the lawn rises the tall spire of Norwich Cathedral above the apse of the east end. Gardeners are at work: one pushes a wheelbarrow in the foreground, another rolls a barrow across the lawn, a third leans on his tool, while two figures stroll in the distance. The later coloring gives soft greens to the grass and trees and warm stone tones to the ruins.

The plate is lettered "For Britton's Picturesque Antiquities of English Cities." above the image, "D. Hodgson delt." at lower left, "Engraved by J. Le Keux." at lower right and the title "Ruins in the Bishops Garden, Norwich." beneath. A dedication follows: "To Sir William Browne Ffolkes Bart. M.A. F.S.A. &c. who has evinced his partiality to the Architecture of the middle ages by erecting a mansion at Killington, Norfolk, in imitation of that style, this plate is inscribed by J. Britton."

John Britton (1771 to 1857) was the great popularizer of English medieval architecture, and John Le Keux (1783 to 1846) was the outstanding architectural engraver of his day. Picturesque Antiquities of the English Cities appeared between 1828 and 1830.

A charming view for collectors of Norwich, Norfolk or English Gothic architecture.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed. Any framed or interior images are shown for presentation and inspiration only, unless the listing explicitly states that the item is sold framed.