Houghton Hall Gallery

The Houghton Gallery series have been viewed as some of the preeminent mezzotint engravings in the history of British art. The renowned publisher, John Boydell (1719 - 1804) commissioned this series of mezzotint engravings after the celebrated paintings that were once part of Sir Robert Walpole's (1676 - 1745) collection.

Sir Robert Walpole, considered the first Prime Minister of Great Britain, resided at Houghton in Norfolk, England. His collection in the Houghton Gallery was viewed as the largest, most famous and exceptional of the 18th century.

By 1778 however, to pay for mounting family debt, Walpole's grandson, George Walpole 3rd Earl of Orford (1730 - 1791), sold the majority of the family's gallery contents to Catherine the Great of Russia (1729 - 1796).

This is where the distinguished English publisher, John Boydell, enters the picture. Boydell, was a very successful print publisher, credited for elevating England as a serious centre for the creative arts and raising the respect for engravers.

Beginning in 1781, Boydell commissioned England's finest mezzotint artists to make engravings of the paintings of Houghton's key works before their export to Catherine the Great of Russia. From 1781 through 1788, one hundred and twenty-eight plates were created from this series.

We feel very fortunate to be able to offer these historic engravings of art and history.