Art Collections Online

The Cistercian Abbey of Tintern in Monmouthshire is one of the most famous ruins in Britain.  It was founded in 1131 and dissolved during the Reformation in 1536.  It became a popular stop on the touring route during the eighteenth century as tourists sought out picturesque views.  Many tourists used William Gilpin’s best-selling guide book, Observations on the River Wye (1782), which advises on the best vantage points.  Here Anthony has painted the abbey from the Gloucestershire bank.