Squirrel, Leonard (1893-1979) - Neidpath Castle, 1964

Leonard Squirrell (1893–1979) was one of Britain’s most accomplished architectural draughtsmen, printmakers, and topographical artists, renowned for his atmospheric depictions of historic streets, colleges, cathedrals, and civic architecture. Born in Ipswich, Suffolk, Squirrell studied at the Ipswich School of Art before continuing his training at the Regent Street Polytechnic in London, where he developed the precise draughtsmanship and compositional clarity that would define his later work.

Squirrell built a distinguished career as an illustrator, lithographer, and watercolourist, becoming particularly admired for his architectural views of Oxford, Cambridge, London, East Anglia, and historic British towns. His work combined elegant line work with a refined understanding of perspective, texture, and atmosphere, giving his townscapes a quiet sense of permanence and nostalgia.

Alongside his independent artistic practice, Squirrell worked extensively as a commercial illustrator and printmaker, producing illustrations and lithographs for publishers, architectural firms, and institutions throughout Britain. He collaborated with companies including the Baynard Press and contributed illustrations to a wide range of books, guidebooks, and architectural publications during the mid-20th century. His lithographic work was especially respected for its tonal subtlety and technical sophistication.