Aquatint. "Carfax and Abingdon from Whiteheads Oak" by Stadler After J Farington RA

Of Oxfordshire interest! This 18th century view is apparently a distant view both of Carfax (centre of Oxford) and Abingdon, taken from "Whiteheads Oak". This oak was in the vicinity of Nuneham Courtenay and served as a notable, commonly cited reference point on the road leading to Oxford. It's hard to see how one could have a view of both these places at the same time but it just shows how much has been developed since 1793! Engraved by JC Stadler after an original by Joseph Farington RA (1747-1821; one of the founding members of the Royal Academy). This rare aquatint was one of 76 aquatints from "An History of the River Thames" published by J & J Boydell 1793-6.