Shipton Moyne, The Seat of Walter Estcourt, Esq., plate 340 from "The Ancient and Present State of Gloucestershire" 1712 - 1768

This is Johannes Kip's print of Shipton Moyne, made around 1712 for "The Ancient and Present State of Gloucestershire". The print is more than just a picture of a house. It offers a glimpse into the social and economic structures of early 18th-century England. Country houses like Shipton Moyne were not merely private residences, but symbols of power, wealth, and social status. The meticulously planned gardens and expansive grounds, as depicted by Kip, speak to the owner's control over land and resources. The cultural references in the print are subtle, but significant. The formal arrangement of the gardens, for instance, reflects the influence of classical ideals of order and harmony. The inclusion of the family's coat of arms further reinforces their social standing and lineage. By consulting historical records, architectural surveys, and social histories, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world in which this print was created and consumed. This artwork reminds us that art is always embedded in a specific time and place.