James Baker Pyne, Vale of Llanberis, North Wales, 1840s, Watercolour

Description

An original c.1840s watercolour painting, james baker pyne rba, vale of llanberis, north wales.a highly atmospheric view in the vale … more An original c.1840s watercolour painting, james baker pyne rba, vale of llanberis, north wales.a highly atmospheric view in the vale of llanberis, north wales by james baker pyne (1800–1870). The vantage point appears to be looking towards llyn peris lake from its source in the south-east, afon nant peris, where figures are seen collecting river water and resting by the water's edge. Another figure travels on horseback, the main form of transport available to tourists in snowdonia before the advent of the railway. In the far distance is the faint outline of dolbadarn castle on the left. An unusually broad footbridge spans the lake in the middle-distance.the painting's ethereal quality, achieved by a restricted palette, suggestive ink line and impressionistic application of washes, indicates that the work dates from after the 1830s, when the artist started to be heavily influenced by j.m.w. Turner.this watercolour can be compared with an 1832 work by turner, also in watercolour, bodycolour and ink, depicting llanberis lake and snowdon (national galleries of scotland d ng 884). Turner paints from the opposite end of the lake, but similarly has figures in the foreground water and denotes the simple profile of dolbadarn castle. A more worked up example in oil by pyne shows figures washing in the river at nearby beddgelert (indianapolis museum of art galleries at newfields).in watercolour with bodycolour, ink and graphite. On cream wove paper. Signed: no. Inscribed: inscribed verso. Height: 22.8cm (9″) width: 39.7cm (15.6″) condition: some age toning across the sheet. Faint scattered foxing visible in the sky area. There is a small patch repair to the paper at the upper left corner. Historic hinging tape remnants to the upper edge verso. Please see photos for detail. Presented: unframed. less