Llyn Dinas, North Wales

John Varley was a founding member of the Old Watercolour Society and taught artists such as David Cox, John Linnell, and J. M. W. Turner, works by all of whom are included in this exhibition. He was known for his stormy temperament, which contrasted with the often placid mood evoked by the flat washes of watercolor in his landscapes. This study suggests that artists must be adaptable when working outdoors. Varley, seemingly unsatisfied with his original composition, must have wanted to include more of the scene, as his original piece of paper is pasted onto a larger one. The artist likely did not intend to exhibit this work, and may have used it as reference for future paintings.