Observations on Several Parts of the Counties of Cambridge, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex
Also on Several Parts of North Wales, Relative Chiefly to Picturesque Beauty, in Two Tours, the Former Made in the Year 1769, the Latter in the Year 1773

This 1809 work explores the concept of the picturesque through journeys in East Anglia and from Anglesey to Shrewsbury.

William Gilpin (Author)

9781108069915, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 January 2014

260 pages, 20 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 1.5 cm, 0.34 kg

Clergyman, schoolmaster and writer on aesthetics, William Gilpin (1724–1804) is best known for his works on the picturesque. In his Essay on Prints, published in 1768 and reissued in this series, he defined picturesque as 'a term expressive of that peculiar kind of beauty, which is agreeable in a picture'. First published in 1809, the present work is one of a series which records his reflections on the picturesque across British landscapes. It traces two journeys he made equipped with notebook and sketching materials: the first in 1769 across East Anglia, and the second in 1773 from Anglesey south-east to Shrewsbury. He describes his impression of notable sites such as Cambridge, Houghton Hall and its art collection, Beaumaris Castle and Snowdon, and includes reproductions of his pen-and-wash drawings. The companion volumes of Observations on other parts of Britain are also reissued in the Cambridge Library Collection.

Part I. Norfolk Tour: 1. Essex road
2. Woodford
3. Fens
4. Situation of Ely
5. Road beyond Ely
6. Castle-acre
7. Houghton-hall
8. A catalogue of all the pictures, bought by the empress of Russia
9. Road from Houghton to Holkham
10. Road from Blickling to Norwich
11. Road towards Colchester continued
Part II. Tour through North Wales: 1. Dunham-hall
2. Harden-castle
3. Pascoch
4. Conway-castle
5. Succinant
6. Lavan-sands
7. Beaumaris
8. Woods of Penthryn
9. Pennant's account of the summit of Snowdon
10. Snowdon considered in a picturesque
11. Carnarvon
12. Vale of Cluyd
13. Valley of the Dee
14. Llangollen
15. Oswestry
16. Wenlock-abbey
17. Road from Bridgenorth to Worcester
18. Vale of Eversham.

Subject Areas: Art forms [AF]