Orlando Jewitt: Dorchester Abbey, Oxfordshire

This is of local interest! A charming drawing of Dorchester Abbey in mid 19th century by Orlando Jowitt (1799-1869). Signed in pencil and titled lower right. Jewitt is best known as a wood engraver, whose illustrations were widely used in book illustrations between 1820-70. They are still reproduced in reference books today covering architecture, archaeology and natural history. This piece, however, is a pencil drawing with wash of the "South East view of Dorchester Church, Oxon" Although born in Derbyshire, Jewitt lived for some years in Headington before moving to London, so this is probably just a private drawing of a local landmark. His drawings and watercolours do come up for auction occasionally but are few and far between.