Artwork

view on the river Dee with anglers

view on the river Dee with anglers, by Richard Wilson, oil, 1770
view on the river Dee with anglers, by Richard Wilson, oil, 1770

view on the river Dee with anglers is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Richard Wilson. It dates from 1770 and is held in the collection of the National Library of Wales.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1770 by the Welsh landscape painter Richard Wilson, this oil on canvas portrays a tranquil stretch of the River Dee. The composition balances water, woodland, and sky, inviting the viewer into a serene riverside scene that reflects Wilson’s early contributions to British landscape painting.

Subject & Meaning

The work centers on the river’s gentle curve, bordered by trees whose foliage shifts between fresh green and early autumn hues. Two figures occupy the bank, one poised with a fishing rod, suggesting leisurely recreation and a harmonious relationship between humans and nature.

Technique & Style

Wilson employs a soft, luminous palette and smooth brushwork to render light on the water’s surface and dappled shade beneath the trees. The handling of foliage shows careful detail, while the overall composition reflects Rococo’s lightness and decorative sensibility, emphasizing atmosphere over dramatic narrative.

History & Provenance

A founding member of the Royal Academy in 1768, Wilson was instrumental in establishing landscape painting as an independent genre in Britain. This particular canvas now belongs to the National Library of Wales, where it remains part of the institution’s collection of Welsh art.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Richard Wilson

Artist

Richard Wilson

Richard Wilson (1 August 1714 – 15 May 1782) was a Welsh painter who specialised in landscape art and worked in Britain and Italy.