The Lakes of Llanberis, from the Road from Caernarfon Going to Llanberis, Caernarfonshire, July 14, 1792

The Lakes of Llanberis, from the Road from Caernarfon Going to Llanberis, Caernarfonshire, July 14, 1792

July 14, 1792
John Warwick Smith
1749-1831
Watercolor and graphite with pen and black ink on medium, smooth, cream wove paper
Sheet: 5 1/8 x 8 1/2 inches (13 x 21.6 cm)

Of particular interest in this landscape is the way in which Smith depicts the sky. Rather than use the brilliant yellows and oranges frequently seen in classical Italianate landscapes, Smith’s sky is a muted grey that is more typical of the Welsh climate. A deliberate decision, this tonality was achieved by mixing red, blue, and yellow watercolor paint together. Methods such as this ultimately helped to define a distinctly English style of picturesque, particularly in watercolor.

B1986.29.224
Inscribed in black ink, on mount, upper left: "223"; in brown ink, on mount, lower left: "July 14th, 1792."
ine Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection