Artwork
Snowdon from Llyn Nantlle
Snowdon from Llyn Nantlle is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist Copley Fielding. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the National Library of Wales. Created in 1830, this oil painting presents a tranquil lake scene set against the mist‑shrouded peaks of Snowdon.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1830, this oil painting presents a tranquil lake scene set against the mist‑shrouded peaks of Snowdon. A solitary tree, a few figures and grazing sheep occupy the shore, while soft, diffused light filters through the fog, lending the landscape a calm, distant atmosphere. The muted palette of greens, grays and pale blues reinforces the serene mood.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays Llyn Nantlle Uchaf, a high‑altitude lake in North Wales, with the imposing summit of Snowdon rising behind it. By placing human activity on the quiet shoreline, the artist juxtaposes modest rural life with the grandeur of the surrounding mountains, suggesting a harmonious relationship between people and the sublime natural environment.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting employs delicate gradations of light and shadow to model the fog‑wrapped mountains and the reflective surface of the water. The handling of atmospheric effects—soft edges, muted tones, and subtle glazing—reflects the Romantic fascination with nature’s awe and the artist’s background in watercolour, evident in the fluid, luminous quality of the scene.
History & Provenance
The piece was produced by English landscape painter Copley Fielding, a pupil of John Varley who later presided over the Old Water‑colour Society. After gaining international recognition, including a gold medal at the 1824 Paris Salon, the painting entered the collection of the National Library of Wales, where it remains in public custody.
Context
Emerging during the height of British Romanticism, the work aligns with contemporary interests in wild, untamed scenery and the emotional response such vistas could evoke. Fielding’s focus on a distinctly Welsh locale reflects the period’s growing appreciation for the British Isles’ diverse landscapes as subjects worthy of artistic exploration.
Artist & collection
Artist
Anthony Vandyke Copley Fielding (22 November 1787 – 3 March 1855), commonly called Copley Fielding, was an English painter born in Sowerby, near Halifax, and famous for his watercolour landscapes.
