James Mason after A. Heckell

A View of Richmond Hill from the Earl of Cholmondelly's

17.5 x 11.5 inches

A scarce view of Richmond Hill looking up from the banks of the River Thames. Etched on copper by James Mason after the drawing by Heckell and published in London by John Bowles circa 1750. The print is in vibrant original colour.

This delightful image just goes to show that Richmond Hill was every bit as fashionable in the middle of the C18th as it remains to this day. The scene is set: it's high summer and we see a sweep of desirable houses nestled along the riverbank with the hill rising steeply above. In the foreground well dressed people embark on boat trips or stand conversing on the footpath. Cholmondeley House, from where this image is taken, was built in the 1740s and this stretch of riverbank was the main, pedestrian route between the town of Richmond and the enormous deer park to the west.