Artwork
Kilgerran Castle on the Teifi, Pembrokeshire
Kilgerran Castle on the Teifi, Pembrokeshire is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist William Havell. It dates from 1806 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Kilgerran Castle on the Teifi, Pembrokeshire is a watercolour painting created by Havell in 1806, featuring a landscape view of the castle and its surroundings.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Kilgerran Castle situated atop a rocky hillside, overlooking the River Teifi as it winds through green fields. Two figures row a boat below, while the weathered castle conveys a sense of peaceful neglect, imbuing the scene with quiet mystery.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the piece leverages the medium's translucent qualities to maintain a light, airy atmosphere. The soft, pale sky seamlessly merges with distant hills, emphasizing the serene and natural aspects of the landscape.
History & Provenance
The painting is dated to 1806 and bears Havell's signature. Further provenance details are not provided.
Context
The work's emphasis on nature's emotive power and the poignant portrayal of a somewhat forgotten landmark aligns with the aesthetic principles of Romanticism, a dominant artistic movement of the time.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Havell (9 February 1782 – 16 December 1857) was an English landscape painter, one of the Havell family of artists, and a founding member of the Society of Painters in Watercolours.
