Richard Walker (1679–1764), Vice-Master and Horticulturist

In this 1751 portrait, Richard Walker, Vice-Master and horticulturist, gazes out with an air of quiet authority. Heins captures Walker in a moment of thoughtful repose, his figure framed by the rich, dark tones of his academic gown. The artist, active in Norwich from around 1720, specialized in portraits of civic figures and prominent local families, and this work exemplifies his skill in rendering character and status. The painting invites us to consider Walker's dual roles: the intellectual leader of Trinity College and a man with a passion for gardening, a detail suggested by the subtle yet deliberate way he holds a small, unopened book. It’s a compelling glimpse into the life of an influential man of his era, balancing scholarship with the natural world.