Stanwick Manor c. 1799

Attributed to W. Mackie, Stanwick Manor was made with pen and black ink over graphite, probably in the first half of the 19th century. Depicting a grand estate with deer in the foreground, it reflects the aesthetic values of the British upper class, particularly their idealization of country life and ownership of vast landscapes. The image subtly reinforces social hierarchies, where land ownership was synonymous with power and status. The architectural precision is also noteworthy. Was this landscape made at the request of the owners of Stanwick Manor? What does it mean that the artist is merely ‘attributed’? To truly understand such works, we need to explore estate records, social histories of the British landed gentry, and art market archives to uncover the original context. The meaning of this drawing lies not just in its aesthetic appeal but in its connection to the complex social structures of its time.