Ruin in a Clearing

Artist Richard Wilson (Penegoes, Powys, Wales, 1714 - 1782)

Date1753

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsHeight: 122.1 cm, Width: 172 cm
Frame Size: 133.8 x 182.8 x 7cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1958.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG003508

Keywords

About MeRichard Wilson became the first major British artist to specialise in landscape painting, a decision he arrived at during his sojourn in Italy from 1750 to 1756. There he became greatly influenced by the idealised, classical landscapes of Claude Lorraine, the 17th century Roman painter of French origin and also by the natural surroundings of the Roman 'campagna', or countryside.

This work was painted in Italy and Wilson has captured the feeling of a classical past with the inclusion of fragments of sculpture and architecture. Typically Claudian is the framing of the middle distance with a dark foreground mass of trees and also the rustic figures, which are deliberately subordinated to the landscape.

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Wilson was the first major British artist to specialise in landscape painting and was greatly influenced by idealised, classical landscapes.