Through French eyes: Rigaud's drawings of Chiswick
Abstract When Jacques Rigaud (c. 1681–1754) came to England, about February 1733, he was already a well-known draughtsman and print-seller whose shop in the rue Saint Jacques must have been patronized by British visitors in Paris. He was famous for his views of French cities, châteaux and gardens, most of which were engraved and published in sets; among his recent works were Les Promenades du Luxembourg (1729) and Les Maisons Royales de France (1730). According to Vertue, it was ‘at the request of Mr. Bridgman the Kings gardner’ that he made a visit to England.2 This seems quite likely, as Rigaud's most important commissions were views of gardens designed by Bridgeman or in his style. The French artist drew a few royal gardens like Hampton Court, St. James's Park and Richmond, but worked mostly for aristocratic patrons. He made at least two drawings of Claremont for the duke of Newcastle,3 and no less than 15 views of Stowe for Lord Cobham, which were later engraved by Bernard Baron.4