“Levens Hall,” Alexander Francis Lydon (1836–1917), c. 1880, Baxter-process colored woodblock engraving printed by Benjamin Fawcett (1808–1893), published by William Mackenzie, London; sheet 10½ × 8 in., image approx. 7¼ × 5⅛ in., unsigned as issued.

This superb Victorian Baxter-process colored woodblock engraving of Levens Hall, illustrated by Alexander Francis Lydon and printed by color-printing pioneer Benjamin Fawcett, comes from the 1880 publication A Series of Picturesque Views of Seats of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland. Celebrated for its precision and rich color layering, this plate features the world-famous Levens Hall topiary gardens and historic Elizabethan manor, making it highly desirable to collectors of British country house art, Victorian landscapes, garden history, and antique color woodblock engravings.

Artwork Description

This finely preserved woodblock engraving presents a lush, detailed view of Levens Hall, the 13th-century manor house in Cumbria renowned for having the oldest topiary garden in the world. The illustration highlights the estate’s extraordinary sculpted yews—towering domes, spirals, arches, and abstract organic shapes—arranged in geometric parterres that extend across the foreground in a rhythmic interplay of form and shadow.

Alexander Francis Lydon captures the house itself in restrained Elizabethan stonework, contrasting its architectural solidity with the fantastical, almost whimsical topiary silhouettes. Behind the gardens, mature trees and structured beds create a layered botanical tapestry, while the cloud-softened sky completes the atmospheric depth of the scene.

Printed using Benjamin Fawcett’s masterful Baxter-process, the image was created with multiple precisely aligned woodblocks, often eight or more, each inked with transparent color. This technique produces the luminous greens, deep woodland tones, muted stone hues, and delicate sky gradations that define the plate’s aesthetic. The result is both a historical document and a work of refined decorative art—capturing Levens Hall at the height of its late-Victorian grandeur.

As part of A Series of Picturesque Views of Seats of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, this print reflects a cultural moment devoted to cataloging the architectural and horticultural heritage of the British Isles before many estates underwent major changes in the 20th century.

Artist & Printer Biographies

ALEXANDER FRANCIS LYDON (1836–1917) — Illustrator

Lydon was a prominent Victorian draughtsman and illustrator whose work shaped many of the century’s most respected natural history and topographical volumes. A protégé of Benjamin Fawcett, he developed exceptional skill in drawing for woodblock color printing. Lydon’s illustrations combine meticulous observation, architectural accuracy, and an evocative sense of place—qualities evident in his depictions of British estates, landscapes, and wildlife. His collaborations with Rev. Francis Orpen Morris and Fawcett remained among the most successful artistic partnerships of the Victorian era.

BENJAMIN FAWCETT (1808–1893) — Printer

Fawcett was a pioneering British printer whose mastery of the Baxter-process made him one of the most significant color printers of the 19th century. Working from Driffield, Yorkshire, he pushed the boundaries of woodblock color printing, achieving exceptional transparency, precision, and tonal richness. His shop produced many of the finest Victorian illustrated books, and his collaboration with Lydon is widely considered among the high points of British color printing.

WILLIAM MACKENZIE — Publisher

Based in London, Edinburgh, and Dublin, William Mackenzie was a major publisher of deluxe illustrated works during the Victorian era. His Picturesque Views of Seats of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland is one of the most recognized and sought-after surveys of British architectural and horticultural heritage.

Alexander Francis Lydon (illustrator), Benjamin Fawcett (printer), “Levens Hall,” c. 1880. Baxter-process colored woodblock engraving from Picturesque Views of Seats of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland. Image approx. 7¼ × 5⅛ in., sheet 10½ × 8 in. Excellent color; strong impression; very good vintage condition.

CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
For Fine Art Appraisal / Insurance / Gallery Documentation

Title: Levens Hall
Illustrator: Alexander Francis Lydon (1836–1917)
Printer: Benjamin Fawcett (1808–1893)
Publisher: William Mackenzie, London / Edinburgh / Dublin
Date: c. 1880
Medium: Baxter-process colored woodblock engraving (multi-block, avg. 8 colors)
Sheet Size: 10½ × 8 inches
Image Size: approx. 7¼ × 5⅛ inches
Condition: Very good to excellent; vivid original color; crisp details; never framed or exposed
Current Owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC
Authentication: Verified 19th-century impression consistent with the known Lydon–Fawcett technique and Mackenzie publication standards.

Provenance Chain

1. Published by William Mackenzie, London / Edinburgh / Dublin (c. 1880)

2. Private British Collection

3. Mitch Moore Gallery Inc., NYC (retired inventory)

4. Current Owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC