Study for 'Gordale Scar' 1813

James Ward's 1813 painting "Study for 'Gordale Scar'" is a preparatory sketch for a larger work. The study depicts a dramatic landscape featuring a deep, narrow gorge with towering rock walls. The dark, shadowy tones emphasize the depth of the gorge and the imposing nature of the landscape. The small figures of cattle in the foreground add a sense of scale and emphasize the vastness of the natural world. This study is an example of Ward's interest in the power and beauty of the English landscape, which he explored in numerous paintings.