Antique Prints of
Leicestershire & Rutlandshire

John Preston Neale (1780–1847) was an English artist best known for his finely detailed architectural and landscape drawings. Born in 1780, he initially worked as a clerk in the General Post Office before turning to art full-time. He became recognized for his skill in capturing buildings, estates, churches, and scenic views across Britain and Ireland. Artistic Style and Media Neale predominantly worked in pen drawings tinted with watercolour, producing highly accurate and elegant views of architectural subjects. While he occasionally painted in oil or watercolour, his reputation rests squarely on his draughtsmanship — drawings that were frequently turned into engravings for publication. Career and Exhibitions:

Neale first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1797, showing two insect drawings, and continued to exhibit topographical and architectural works there and with other prominent artistic societies until the 1840s.

His works appeared in exhibitions of the Society of Painters in Oil and Water Colours, the Society of British Artists, and the British Institution.

Legacy and Influence: Neale’s work was widely reproduced through engravings, helping document British architectural heritage at a time when many buildings were changing or under threat. His detailed topographical art remains valuable for historians and collectors and continues to appear in prints and decorative art collections.

He died on 14 November 1847 near Ipswich at about 67 years of age.