Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg

The Earl of Ranfurly, Maltings Chase, Nayland, Essex; 
His sale, London, Christie's, July 31, 1939, lot 135 (as a pair with "A Mill Stream, with horsemen, figures and cattle - signed and dated 1806") for £25 and 4s to Nicholson.

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This painting was lined at least one hundred hears ago and the paint layer is stable. Slight cracking has developed in the upper sky on the right side and a couple of dents are visible in the lower right corner and beneath the white cow. Overall however the surface is in good shape. The sky and the trees in the center and on the left side are healthy. The sky in the upper right has had some loss and instability in the past. The foreground and all of the dark areas which show the dirty varnish quite strongly should clean well and reveal a considerably cooler and well preserved palette. Restoration will be required, particularly to preserve the sky in the upper right, but overall the condition is very respectable.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Harlech was one of a number of castles constructed by Edward I in the late 13th Century in Snowdonia in northern Wales.  By the late 18th Century, it had become a famous monument, and was an attraction for tourists and artists alike. 

In 1786 Loutherbourg returned from a trip to Wales, where he had made numerous sketches of the principle "picturesque" sights of the country, including many of its most famous monuments such as Harlech.¹  These were used to compose a number of views of the Welsh landscape, which he appears to have begun to paint immediately upon his return, showing three views of Wales in the Royal Academy of the following year.  Loutherbourg continued to produce such images throughout his career, even showing a pendant pair of Harlech Castle and Conway Castle in the Academy show of 1801; those paintings, which depict the citadels perched above a choppy sea, clearly show the influence of Vernet.²  The present canvas, much less "romantic" in its conception, was at one time also paired with another landscape (see provenance) which was dated 1806.  The artist was certainly still famous for exactly this type of painting, having produced a book of engravings The Picturesque and Romantic Scenery of England and Wales just the year before.

1  The sketchbook from that trip, containg some sixty nine drawings, is in the collection of the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.

2 Private collection; these paintings were exhibited in the monographic exhibition on the artist held at Kenwood House in 1972, cf. Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg, RA, 1740-1812, ed. R. Joppien, London 1973, cat. nos. 44-45.