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Picturesque Views on the River Medway, from the Nore to the Vicinity of its Source in Sussex: with Observations on the Public Buildings and Other Works of Art in its Neighborhood

1793
Not on view
Half title, poem, illustrated title, title page, dedication, preface, list of prints,engraved map, 141 leaves, including 28 plates, pages numbered 1-206. The preface notes that the work may be considered a continuation of Ireland's 1792 two-volume work on the Thames (22.106.64(1-2)). "The confluence of these rivers naturally led the author into a wish to explore the beauties of this more gentle, yet in some aspects, equally important, River. The views, selected in the course of this work, form the natural and artificial scenery of this rich and fertile country, and are represented with the fidelity, which the author flatters himself will entitle him to the patronage of a discerning public."
Frontispiece (after J. H. Mortimer); Sheerness (p. 5); Minster Abbey (p. 11); Cowling Castle (p. 29); Upnor Castle (p. 35); Chatham (p. 39); Rochester from Frendsbury Hill (p. 53); Temple Farm, Stroud (p. 71); Lord Darnley's Mausoleum in Cobham Park (p. 77); Remains of Halling House (p. 83); Malling Abbey (p. 88); Leybourne Castle (p. 93); Hop Ground (p. 97); Ayesford (p. 99); Lady Aylesfords, called the Friars (p. 100); Maidstone (p. 109); Boxley Abbey (p. 121); Leeds Castle (p. 125); East Farley Church and Bridge (p. 133); Barming (p. 135); Tefton Bridge (p. 138); Nettlested (p. 147); Twyford (p. 151); Brandtbridge, Aylesford lathe (p. 153); Tunbridge (p. 155); Penshurst (p. 165); Hever Castle (p. 185); Tunbridge Wells (p. 192); Bayham Abbey (p. 199).
The aquatints are based on drawings by Ireland, who published a series of guides, starting with "A Picturesque Tour through France, Holland, Brabant...made in 1789" (22.106.65(1-2)), "Picturesque Views on the River Thames," 1792 (22.106.64(1-2)), the present work, and "Picturesque Views on the River Wye" (1797). The shift to subjects closer to home was encouraged by Britain's long war with Revolutionary and Napoleonic France, which lasted from 1793 to 1815.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Picturesque Views on the River Medway, from the Nore to the Vicinity of its Source in Sussex: with Observations on the Public Buildings and Other Works of Art in its Neighborhood
  • Designer: Samuel Ireland (British, active from ca. 1760, died London 1800)
  • Publisher: T. and J. Egerton (British, active London, 1786–1793)
  • Binder: Rebound by Alfred Launder June, 1930
  • Dedicatee: Charlotte, Countess of Aylesford (British, 1730–1805)
  • Date: 1793
  • Medium: Illustrations: engraving, aquatint
  • Dimensions: 12 3/16 x 9 1/4 x 1 3/16 in. (31 x 23.5 x 3 cm)
  • Classification: Books
  • Credit Line: Museum Accession, transferred from the Library
  • Object Number: 22.106.63
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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