Rhaiadr Cwm, North Wales 1836

David Cox made "Rhaiadr Cwm, North Wales" in watercolour, probably in the 1840s. In this period, the rugged landscapes of Wales and Scotland became popular tourist destinations, especially for middle-class Britons, inspired by Romanticism. Cox was one of many artists producing views to meet demand, but his work also shows a deeper engagement with ideas of the sublime. The sublime was all about experiencing awe and terror in the face of nature's power, and Cox uses the watercolour medium expressively to evoke the grandeur of the Welsh mountains. The tiny figures in the foreground serve to emphasize the overwhelming scale of the landscape. Cox's work is a product of its time, reflecting both the rise of tourism and changing attitudes towards nature. By studying sources like travel guides, exhibition reviews, and artists' biographies, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and cultural context in which Cox was working. Art like this doesn't just reflect its historical context, it also actively shapes how people see and experience the world.