Knole, near Sevenoke, in the County of Kent, formerly a palace belonging to the Archiepiscopal See of Canterbury, from Edward Hasted's, The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent, vols. 1-3

Art Historical Context

This exquisite etching and engraving by Richard Bernard Godfrey captures Knole, a grand stately home near Sevenoaks ( spelled Sevenoke) in Kent, England Featured in Edward Hasted's monumental *The History and Topographical Survey the County of Kent*1777–90), it illustrates the estate's imposing architecture, once a lavish palace belonging to Archbishops of Canterbury. Produced during the late 18th century's topographic fervor—an era when scholars meticulously documented Britain's historic landscapes amid growing national pride—this plate preserves Knole's timeless grandeur, complete with heraldic coats of arms that nod to its ecclesiastical and noble heritage. Godfrey, a skilled British engraver active in the period, masterfully combined etching (where acid etches lines into a metal plate for fluid detail) with engraving (precise hand-cutting for sharp definition), yielding intricate textures on stone facades, sprawling grounds, and ornamental elements. Printed as part of Hasted's multi-volume book (measuring about 17 x 11 inches), the image exemplifies Enlightenment-era printmaking's role in democratizing knowledge of architectural treasures. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this work highlights Knole's evolution from medieval archbishopric to Sackville family seat, offering visitors a window into Britain's layered past. A testament to 18th-century artistry and scholarship, it invites reflection on how prints bridged elite estates with public curiosity.

About the Artist

Richard Bernard Godfrey · 1728–1795

British, probably London ca. 1728–1795 after