Who painted Ben Ledi?

Ben Ledi was painted by David Young Cameron in 1911.

Where can I see Ben Ledi?

Ben Ledi is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Ben Ledi

David Young Cameron , 1911

Ben Ledi is a print by David Young Cameron. It dates from 1911 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1911, *Ben Ledi* is a print by Scottish artist David Young Cameron, whose reputation rests on both painting and etching. The image captures a solitary mountain amid a mist‑shrouded landscape, rendered in a limited tonal range that emphasizes atmosphere over detail. The work belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on the eponymous peak of Ben Ledi, a mountain in the Scottish Highlands, rising from a muted foreground of wet grass and a rippling waterway. The sparse, almost empty sky and the subdued horizon convey a sense of isolation and the quiet endurance of the natural world.

Technique & Style

Cameron employs a chiaroscuro approach, contrasting deep black lines with soft gray washes to model forms and suggest depth. The foreground is textured with dense cross‑hatching that evokes damp vegetation, while the background recedes through lighter, smoother strokes, creating a misty veil that softens the mountain’s silhouette.

History & Provenance

As a prominent figure in the later phase of the Etching Revival, Cameron produced *Ben Ledi* during a period when printmakers were re‑examining traditional techniques. The piece entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the mid‑20th century, where it remains part of the museum’s representation of early 20th‑century British printmaking.

Artist & collection

Artist

David Young Cameron

Sir David Young Cameron (28 June 1865 – 16 September 1945) was a Scottish painter and, with greater success, etcher, mostly of townscapes and landscapes in both cases. He was a leading figure in the final decades of the Etching Revival.