Artwork
Inn at Dfnet
Inn at Dfnet is a print by the Romanticist artist Edward Price. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Edward Price’s print titled “Inn at Dfnet” depicts a tranquil lakeside setting where a modest wooden inn stands beside a few scattered structures. A plume of smoke curls from the chimney, while two small boats lie beached on the shore. Dark, rugged mountains loom in the distance beneath a brooding sky, punctuated by sparse trees that frame the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on an isolated inn, suggesting themes of solitude and quiet refuge amid a dramatic natural landscape. The juxtaposition of the calm water, stranded vessels, and looming peaks evokes a contemplative mood, inviting viewers to reflect on the relationship between human habitation and the surrounding wilderness.
Technique & Style
Price employs delicate gradations of tone to render atmospheric depth, softening the transition between sky, water, and land. The subtle shading creates a sense of stillness while preserving a hint of drama, aligning the work with Romantic sensibilities that emphasize emotional resonance and the power of nature.
History & Provenance
Lennox‑Boyd, who expanded his holdings after purchasing Sanders of Oxford in 1963, was a leading dealer in fine prints, maps, and 20th‑century etchings.
The print appears in a blue‑bound volume with a red cover that contains twenty‑one similar images and accompanying text. The book formed part of the Lennox‑Boyd collection, a notable assemblage of British mezzotints and related objects acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2015 through an inheritance‑tax settlement. Lennox‑Boyd, who expanded his holdings after purchasing Sanders of Oxford in 1963, was a leading dealer in fine prints, maps, and 20th‑century etchings.
Artist & collection
