Gastineau, Henry

Henry Gastineau (1791–1876) was a prolific British topographical and landscape artist, best known for his finely detailed steel engravings and watercolours of British scenery. Originally trained as an engraver, he transitioned to painting and illustration, becoming a leading figure in the picturesque tradition. Gastineau contributed extensively to many 19th-century publications that celebrated the landscapes and landmarks of Britain, often working alongside publishers such as Jones & Co. and I.T. Hinton. His most significant output includes the richly illustrated Wales Illustrated, and Curiosities of Great Britain, capturing both rural and urban views with clarity and charm. He also contributed to Allom’s Northern Counties, Picturesque Beauties of Great Britain, and The Sporting Magazine. Gastineau was a long-standing member of the Society of Painters in Water Colours, and his works were widely admired for their fidelity to the British landscape and their appeal to a growing Victorian audience fascinated by travel and national heritage.