Tygwyn Ferry

Tygwyn Ferry

1802
Cornelius Varley
1781-1873
Graphite on medium, moderately textured, cream wove paper
9 x 14 1/2 inches (22.9 x 36.8 cm)

While the house and boat in this sketch are clearly expressed, other parts are more abbreviated. The drawing’s minimalist markings may refer to trees and rocks, natural landscape elements that do not feature as prominently here as in most studies from Wales. Instead, Varley focuses on man-made objects and materials. Like many artists sketching in Wales, he abstains from depicting the local residents but focuses on their natural and material surroundings, working directly in the landscape though omitting some of its more natural elements.

B1975.4.1778
Inscribed in pen and brown ink, lower left: "Tequin Ferry"; in pen and black ink, upper left : "Harlech | Castle ..."
Watermark: "I TAYLOR | 1801"
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection