Artwork
Cader Idris, with the Mawddach River

Cader Idris, with the Mawddach River is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Richard Wilson. It dates from 1774 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
You can learn more about landscapes like this one by looking at the work of artist: Richard Wilson (British, 1714–1782).
The painting shows a mountain peak in the distance and riders on horseback in the foreground, heading towards a river.
This scene is special because it focuses on the beauty of the land, not on heroic stories. Richard Wilson was inspired by his visit to Italy, where he learned to appreciate landscapes.
You can learn more about landscapes like this one by looking at the work of artist: Richard Wilson (British, 1714–1782).
Overview
Cader Idris, with the Mawddach River is a painting by Richard Wilson, a British artist known for his landscapes. The work depicts a serene scene with a mountain peak in the distance and riders on horseback approaching a river.
Subject & Meaning
The painting focuses on the natural beauty of the Welsh landscape, with Cader Idris mountain and the Mawddach River as its main subjects. Unlike some of Wilson's other works, it does not reference Wales's heroic past, instead emphasizing the pleasing aspects of the land.
Technique & Style
Wilson's style was influenced by his visit to Italy, where he developed an appreciation for landscapes as a source of poetic inspiration. He applied this approach to his English and Welsh scenes, treating them as vehicles for ideas and emotions, much like his Italian landscapes.
History & Provenance
Another version of this painting is held in the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. Wilson was a pioneering British landscape artist, and his work was well-received by his patrons, mostly English noblemen.
Artist & collection
Artist
Richard Wilson (1 August 1714 – 15 May 1782) was a Welsh painter who specialised in landscape art and worked in Britain and Italy.


















