Elevation of Back Facade of the Kings House, Richmond, Surrey

Art Historical Context

Behold the delicate *Elevation of Back Facade the Kings House, Richmond Surrey*, a gem from the early 18th century, after 1727 by Heckel in collaboration with Henry Herbert, 9th Earl ofroke. This intimate drawing captures the rear elevation of the King's House, a once-grand royal residence in Surrey, England, showcasing the refined symmetry and classical proportions typical of Georgian architecture. Pembroke, a noted patron and amateur architect, likely contributed his noble insight, blending aristocratic vision with Heckel's skilled hand. Executed in pen and black ink with brush and gray wash on a modest 7 5/16 x 7 3/8-inch sheet, the work exemplifies the precision of period architectural drafting. The fine ink lines delineate structural details, while subtle gray washes add depth and shadow, evoking a three-dimensional quality on paper. Such techniques were essential for planning and visualization in an era when grand estates defined British landscape and power. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department—acquired via the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1925—this piece offers a window into 18th-century ornamental architecture. It reminds us how drawings like this bridged design and construction, preserving the elegance of historic buildings for posterity. A must-see for architecture enthusiasts!

About the Artist

Augustus Heckel|Henry Herbert, 9th Earl of Pembroke (German|British) · 1690 |1689 –1770 |1751

German (active Britain), Augsburg 1690–1770 Richmond|British, ca. 1689/93–1751