Dolbadarn Castle

WILSON, Richard (1714-1782 Richard Wilson, originally from Montgomeryshire, is often called ‘the Father of British landscapes’ for the key role he played in the development of the tradition, though he initially trained as a portrait painter. He became the first major artist to popularize images of Wales that went beyond topographical accuracy. Caiff Richard Wilson, sy’n wreiddiol o Sir Drefaldwyn, ei alw’n aml yn ‘Dad tirluniau Prydain’ am y rôl allweddol a chwaraeodd yn natblygiad y traddodiad, er iddo hyfforddi fel peintiwr portreadau i gychwyn. Ef oedd yr artist mawr cyntaf i boblogeiddio delweddau o Gymru oedd yn mynd y tu hwnt i gywirdeb topograffaidd.)

The iconic circular keep of Dolbadarn Castle stands at the centre of this painting by Richard Wilson, the most influential historic artist to come from Wales. Dolbadarn was probably built in the 13th century by Llywelyn the Great. Overlooking Llyn Padarn, it was an important stronghold in Gwynedd. By 1283 it had been seized by the English army, and its timber pillaged for the construction of Caernarfon Castle nearby. Dolbadarn later played a part in the fight for Welsh independence during Owain Glyndŵr’s rebellion, and stands today as a reminder of the trials and achievements of our native princes. During the 1750s, Wilson travelled to Italy, an experience which transformed his work. Although clearly a Welsh landscape, with Snowdon in the background, here Wilson has introduced Italianate features, like the farmstead. He has altered the features of the landscape to suggest a classical composition in the manner of Italian old masters. In doing so, he gives the scene a sense of gravity and importance, which helped to elevate the status of the Welsh landscape in cultural circles. Wilson painted Dolbadarn several times, and this composition probably dates from 1764/5. X-rays reveal the castle has been painted over a portrait of a woman.

Collection Area

Art

Item Number

NMW A 72

Creation/Production

WILSON, Richard

Date: 1765 ca

Acquisition

Purchase, 30/4/1937

Measurements

Height (cm): 92.4

Width (cm): 126.2

Height (in): 36

Width (in): 49

(): h(cm) frame:109

(): h(cm)

(): w(cm) frame:143.5

(): w(cm)

(): d(cm) frame:9.0

(): d(cm)

Techniques

canvas

Material

oil

Location

Gallery 04

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Bronze Age Gold from Wales