Who painted Crickhowell?

Crickhowell was painted by William Richard B. Shaw in 1858.

Where can I see Crickhowell?

Crickhowell is held by National Library of Wales.

What movement is Crickhowell?

Crickhowell is associated with British Romanticism.

Artwork

Crickhowell

William Richard B. Shaw , 1858

Crickhowell is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist William Richard B. Shaw. It dates from 1858 and is held in the collection of the National Library of Wales. William Richard B.

About this work

Overview

William Richard B. Shaw’s 1858 oil painting titled “Crickhowell” presents a tranquil rural scene. The work is part of the National Library of Wales collection and depicts a verdant valley framed by a stone arch, with figures, livestock, and a dog completing the composition.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas features two women standing on a path, gazing into the valley below. A fence lines a pasture where a few cows graze, while a dog rests at the women’s feet. The inclusion of everyday figures and animals suggests a quiet, contemplative relationship between people and the landscape.

Technique & Style

Shaw employs a light, pastel palette that softens the horizon and imbues the scene with a sense of calm. Delicate brushwork renders the ivy climbing the stone arch and the distant hills, which dissolve into gentle cloud formations, reinforcing the painting’s serene atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created in 1858, the work has remained in Wales, eventually entering the holdings of the National Library of Wales. Its provenance reflects the artist’s focus on Welsh scenery during the mid‑nineteenth century.

Context

During the mid‑1800s, British landscape painting often emphasized pastoral idealism and the picturesque qualities of the countryside. Shaw’s depiction of Crickhowell aligns with this tradition, highlighting rural life and natural beauty through a modest, observational lens.

Artist & collection

Artist

William Richard B. Shaw

William Richard B. Shaw painted rolling Welsh landscapes just as photography was changing how artists worked. In 1858 he recorded Crickhowell’s stone bridge and hills in oil, and twenty years later he framed golden…

Museum

National Library of Wales

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