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Ceyx and Alcyone

Artist: 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.)

In the 1760s Wilson produced a group of pictures illustrating high tragedy, usually taken from classical mythology. This work was shown at the Society of Artists in 1768. According to the Roman author Ovid, Ceyx, King of Tracninia, was drowned while on his way to consult the oracle Claros. His Queen, Alcyone, who learned of the tragedy in a dream, is shown distraught with grief as the ghostly white corpse of her husband is brought ashore. The king and queen were turned into birds - the Alcyones. Reynolds described Wilson's attempts at history painting as 'a very difficult adventure'.

Ceyx and Alcyone
Image: © Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales

Collection Area

Art

Item Number

NMW A 65

Creation/Production

WILSON, Richard
Role: Creation
Date: 1768

Acquisition

Purchase, 1979

Measurements

Height: 101.5cm
Width: 127cm
h(cm) frame:130
w(cm) frame:151.5
d(cm) frame:7.5

Techniques

canvas

Material

oil

Location

Gallery 04

Collections Online is updated regularly, but please confirm that a work remains on display before making a special visit.

Categories

Paentiad | Painting Celf Gain | Fine Art Record to be verified Tirwedd | Landscape MYTHOLEG A FFANTASI | MYTHOLOGY AND FANTASY MYTHOLEG A FFANTASI | MYTHOLOGY AND FANTASY

Comments - (1)

Sarah Ingle
17 December 2016, 17:16
A sketch of this painting belonged to my ancestor William Ince, the cabinet-maker, and was sold by Mr Christie in an auction of his property on 10th March 1807 for £13 13s. The buyer's name is given as Barnett in the Catalogue.
Comments are currently unavailable. We apologise for the inconvenience.

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Ceyx and Alcyone
© Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
  • Ceyx and Alcyone