Explore: Augustin Heckel

(c.1690 - 1770)

German chaser, draughtsman and etcher of topographical views Augustin Heckel was born in Augsburg; the son of a chaser, who worked in gold and silver. (Chasers form designs by pressing into metal.) He too worked as a chaser in many of the major cities of Germany, enjoying success in that profession, before travelling to Paris and then moving to England. He also produced topographical views in watercolour, some of which were issued by publishers Thomas Bowles and Robert Sayer, including eight small plates of Richmond and its environs. He died at Richmond in 1770. His sister is also known to have engraved bible illustrations.