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Notes

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Caernarvon Castle, the birthplace of the first Prince of Wales, was built by Edward I. Wilson painted several views of it which vary in topographical accuracy. In this version, probably dating from the early 1760s, the landscape has been manipulated to create a balanced, frieze-like composition. The golden light recalls that of the Roman Campagna. As in his views of Ancient Roman ruins, the theme is the transience of human achievement. In front of this decayed symbol of oppression, a mother and her child play.

National Museum Cardiff

Title

Caernarvon Castle

Date

1760–1765

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 63.5 x W 125.1 cm

Accession number

NMW A 73

Acquisition method

purchased from the Shepherd Brothers, 1913

Work type

Painting

Inscription description

Stretcher: 1) Loan label (destination unknown) 2) RA Winter ex., 1954-5, 18 C, Ser. No. 217 3) Agnew's, London, cat.32 4) Brit. Council C18/C19th Brit. Painting for Europe, 1966/7, Cat. no. 18 5) Brit. Council, English Landscape, Tokyo & Kyoto, 1970, cat. no. 52 Frame: 1) British Empire Exhibition, 1925, Dicksee & Co. 2) Brit. Council, C18/C19th Brit. Painting for Europe 1966/7, Cat. 68 3) RA, Exhibition of British Art, 1934, in pencil 10 4) Small square label - 326 5) Japanese label - P-53-48

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