John Varley 1778-1842

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Description

John Varley
Harlech Castle across Traeth Mawr
signed l.l. J. Varley and variously inscribed with artist's numbers
watercolour over pencil heightened with scratching out

Provenance

Michael Spratt, Surrey

Catalogue Note

Harlech Castle in North Wales had long been an important subject for the early watercolourists. Thomas Girtin and J.M.W. Turner, to name just two, drew inspiration from the building and the surrounding area. For Varley, who first visited Wales in 1799 and who was to return there on several occasions, Harlech remained a favourite subject and between 1802 and 1840 he is known to have exhibited 23 versions of subject (see C.M. Kauffmann, John Varley, 1984, p.137).