“Hampton Court,” Alexander Francis Lydon (1836–1917), c.1880, Baxter-process multi-block colored woodblock engraving printed by Benjamin Fawcett (1808–1893), published by William Mackenzie; sheet 10½ × 8 in., image approx. 7¼ × 5⅛ in., unsigned as issued.
A superb Victorian Baxter-process colored woodblock engraving of Hampton Court, illustrated by Alexander Francis Lydon and printed by Benjamin Fawcett for William Mackenzie’s influential Picturesque Views of Seats of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland (c.1880). This collectible plate showcases a dramatic, tree-framed vista of the estate’s Gothic façade, capturing the elegance, architectural detail, and landscaped grandeur that define 19th-century British country houses.
Artwork Description
This beautifully preserved 19th-century engraving presents Hampton Court, rendered with remarkable sensitivity to both architecture and landscape. Lydon frames the stately Gothic mansion through a natural archway of overhanging foliage, creating a dramatic reveal of the estate rising from the broad, sunlit lawn. The distant hills softly graded in pale greens and misted tones, reinforce the sense of depth and serenity.
The mansion itself stretches elegantly across the composition, its crenellated roofline, pointed arch windows, and delicate tracery fully articulated through Lydon’s precise draughtsmanship. The symmetry and proportion of the estate reveal the Victorian fascination with medieval revival architecture, while the placement of grazing animals in the foreground animates the scene with pastoral charm.
Printed by Benjamin Fawcett using the Baxter-process, this work required multiple woodblocks—often eight or more—to build the transparent layers of color that give the image its luminous greens, naturalistic sky, and finely modulated architectural shadows. The transparency and subtle tonal blending hallmark the peak of Victorian color printing, achieved through decades of refinement by the Lydon–Fawcett partnership.
As part of the celebrated Picturesque Views series, this plate remains an important historical document of British aristocratic estates, many of which have since changed dramatically or disappeared.
Artist & Printer Biographies
ALEXANDER FRANCIS LYDON (1836–1917)
One of the most skilled Victorian illustrators, Lydon became known for his refined, naturalistic depictions of landscapes, architectural subjects, and natural history. His collaboration with Benjamin Fawcett produced some of the most admired printed books of the 19th century, distinguished by exact detail, soft tonal gradation, and atmospheric depth.
BENJAMIN FAWCETT (1808–1893)
A pioneering English color printer, Fawcett was among the greatest practitioners of the Baxter-process technique. Operating from Driffield, Yorkshire, he perfected multi-block wood engraving methods known for clarity, color harmony, and exceptional fidelity to the artist’s original drawings. His work with Lydon represents the height of Victorian color wood printing.
WILLIAM MACKENZIE — Publisher
A major producer of high-quality illustrated works, Mackenzie oversaw the publication of many landmark series. Picturesque Views remains a vital visual record of aristocratic Britain during the late Victorian era.
Alexander Francis Lydon (illustrator), Benjamin Fawcett (printer), “Hampton Court,” c.1880. Baxter-process multi-block colored woodblock engraving from Picturesque Views of Seats of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland. Sheet 10½ × 8 in.; image approx. 7¼ × 5⅛ in. Excellent color; very good vintage condition; never framed.
CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
For Fine Art Appraisal / Insurance / Gallery Documentation
Title: Hampton Court
Illustrator: Alexander Francis Lydon (1836–1917)
Printer: Benjamin Fawcett (1808–1893)
Publisher: William Mackenzie
Date: c.1880
Medium: Baxter-process colored woodblock engraving (approx. 8 colors)
Sheet Size: 10½ × 8 in.
Image Size: approx. 7¼ × 5⅛ in.
Condition: Excellent impression, clean margins, rich original color; never framed or displayed
Current Owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC
Authentication: Verified period impression consistent with known Lydon–Fawcett woodblock plates and Mackenzie editions.
Provenance Chain
Published by William Mackenzie (c.1880)
Private British Collection
Mitch Moore Gallery Inc., NYC
Current Owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC
“Hampton Court,” Alexander Francis Lydon (1836–1917), c.1880, Baxter-process multi-block colored woodblock engraving printed by Benjamin Fawcett (1808–1893), published by William Mackenzie; sheet 10½ × 8 in., image approx. 7¼ × 5⅛ in., unsigned as issued.
A superb Victorian Baxter-process colored woodblock engraving of Hampton Court, illustrated by Alexander Francis Lydon and printed by Benjamin Fawcett for William Mackenzie’s influential Picturesque Views of Seats of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland (c.1880). This collectible plate showcases a dramatic, tree-framed vista of the estate’s Gothic façade, capturing the elegance, architectural detail, and landscaped grandeur that define 19th-century British country houses.
Artwork Description
This beautifully preserved 19th-century engraving presents Hampton Court, rendered with remarkable sensitivity to both architecture and landscape. Lydon frames the stately Gothic mansion through a natural archway of overhanging foliage, creating a dramatic reveal of the estate rising from the broad, sunlit lawn. The distant hills softly graded in pale greens and misted tones, reinforce the sense of depth and serenity.
The mansion itself stretches elegantly across the composition, its crenellated roofline, pointed arch windows, and delicate tracery fully articulated through Lydon’s precise draughtsmanship. The symmetry and proportion of the estate reveal the Victorian fascination with medieval revival architecture, while the placement of grazing animals in the foreground animates the scene with pastoral charm.
Printed by Benjamin Fawcett using the Baxter-process, this work required multiple woodblocks—often eight or more—to build the transparent layers of color that give the image its luminous greens, naturalistic sky, and finely modulated architectural shadows. The transparency and subtle tonal blending hallmark the peak of Victorian color printing, achieved through decades of refinement by the Lydon–Fawcett partnership.
As part of the celebrated Picturesque Views series, this plate remains an important historical document of British aristocratic estates, many of which have since changed dramatically or disappeared.
Artist & Printer Biographies
ALEXANDER FRANCIS LYDON (1836–1917)
One of the most skilled Victorian illustrators, Lydon became known for his refined, naturalistic depictions of landscapes, architectural subjects, and natural history. His collaboration with Benjamin Fawcett produced some of the most admired printed books of the 19th century, distinguished by exact detail, soft tonal gradation, and atmospheric depth.
BENJAMIN FAWCETT (1808–1893)
A pioneering English color printer, Fawcett was among the greatest practitioners of the Baxter-process technique. Operating from Driffield, Yorkshire, he perfected multi-block wood engraving methods known for clarity, color harmony, and exceptional fidelity to the artist’s original drawings. His work with Lydon represents the height of Victorian color wood printing.
WILLIAM MACKENZIE — Publisher
A major producer of high-quality illustrated works, Mackenzie oversaw the publication of many landmark series. Picturesque Views remains a vital visual record of aristocratic Britain during the late Victorian era.
Alexander Francis Lydon (illustrator), Benjamin Fawcett (printer), “Hampton Court,” c.1880. Baxter-process multi-block colored woodblock engraving from Picturesque Views of Seats of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland. Sheet 10½ × 8 in.; image approx. 7¼ × 5⅛ in. Excellent color; very good vintage condition; never framed.
CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
For Fine Art Appraisal / Insurance / Gallery Documentation
Title: Hampton Court
Illustrator: Alexander Francis Lydon (1836–1917)
Printer: Benjamin Fawcett (1808–1893)
Publisher: William Mackenzie
Date: c.1880
Medium: Baxter-process colored woodblock engraving (approx. 8 colors)
Sheet Size: 10½ × 8 in.
Image Size: approx. 7¼ × 5⅛ in.
Condition: Excellent impression, clean margins, rich original color; never framed or displayed
Current Owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC
Authentication: Verified period impression consistent with known Lydon–Fawcett woodblock plates and Mackenzie editions.
Provenance Chain
Published by William Mackenzie (c.1880)
Private British Collection
Mitch Moore Gallery Inc., NYC
Current Owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC
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