Watercolor and graphite on thick, moderately textured, cream laid paper
Dimensions:
Sheet: 8 x 11 11/16in. (20.3 x 29.7cm)
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1975.3.929
Gallery Label:
The sketch-like quality and light of this watercolor evoke a mood of calm, the long shadows cast by the foliage and figures suggesting the sunlight of late afternoon. Sandby’s distant perspective emphasizes the towering limestone cliffs that both support the castle and provide a natural defense mechanism. The figures in the foreground, most likely depictions of Welsh locals, are included merely as props that establish the sense of scale of the vast cliffs and broad, open expanses of the landscape. Incorporating many elements of the picturesque, this work de-emphasizes the built environment and focuses on characteristics of the Welsh landscape, incorporating rolling hills, fields, and lush vegetation. Gallery label for Art in Focus: Wales (Yale Center for British Art, 2014-04-04 - 2014-08-10)
