Lot Essay
Averham Park was built by Robert Sutton, 2nd Lord Lexington, after 1691. Following the marriage of his daughter, Bridget Sutton, to the 3rd Duke of Rutland in 1717, Averham became Rutland property. John Harris notes that the present painting serves as `an important document in the history of farming methods as it shows the old ridge and furrow systems' (loc. cit.). A painting showing a near view of the house from the west is in the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Titley, Burbage, Wilstshire (ibid.).