In Wales between Bangor and Capel Curig c. 1830s

Peter De Wint created ‘In Wales between Bangor and Capel Curig’ using watercolour wash, perhaps sometime in the first half of the 19th century. The painting captures a sweeping landscape of mountains and sky that meet in a soft, almost diffused horizon line. The colours are muted, mostly earth tones that evoke a sense of calm. The structure of the composition is crucial. De Wint divides the scene into distinct horizontal bands, each contributing to the overall depth and spaciousness. The sky, occupying the upper half, is rendered with broad, fluid strokes, while the land is more detailed. The figures are diminutive, and their inclusion hints at humanity's place within the landscape. The formal treatment of the scene—the careful arrangement of light and shadow—lends an emotional gravity to the image. Ultimately, the aesthetic value of this piece lies in its formal qualities, inviting us to contemplate the interplay between nature and representation, and questioning the established conventions of landscape painting.