Who painted Cader Idris, with the Mawddach River?

Cader Idris, with the Mawddach River was painted by Richard Wilson in 1774-01-01.

Where can I see Cader Idris, with the Mawddach River?

Cader Idris, with the Mawddach River is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Cader Idris, with the Mawddach River?

Cader Idris, with the Mawddach River is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Cader Idris, with the Mawddach River?

Museum-quality prints of Cader Idris, with the Mawddach River are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Cader Idris, with the Mawddach River by Richard Wilson (1774)

About this work

Subject & Meaning

By focusing on these natural elements, Wilson highlights the sublime beauty and enduring presence of the landscape, inviting contemplation of nature’s majesty.

The painting portrays Cader Idris, a prominent Welsh mountain, alongside the Mawddach River, as indicated by its title. The composition centers on a rugged peak and surrounding trees, presenting a tranquil yet imposing view of the Welsh countryside. By focusing on these natural elements, Wilson highlights the sublime beauty and enduring presence of the landscape, inviting contemplation of nature’s majesty.

The work thus serves as a visual homage to Wales’s distinctive topography, emphasizing the harmony between mountain and river within a serene, atmospheric setting.

Technique & Style

The work is executed in oil on canvas, a standard support for 18th‑century British landscape painting, as indicated by the recorded medium of oil paint and the material specification of canvas. The painting was created in England in 1774 and measures approximately 89.8 cm by 105.5 cm, reflecting the scale typical of Wilson’s mature landscapes. Wilson’s handling of oil emphasizes delicate tonal modulation and a restrained palette that renders the Mawddach River and surrounding topography with a balanced compositional arrangement of mountain and tree forms. No specific conservation data are provided, so the current condition remains unspecified.

History & Provenance

The painting Cader Idris, with the Mawddach River was created by Richard Wilson in 1774, as indicated by its internal documentation. The work entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art in 1989, where it is currently held. The painting is executed in oil on canvas and depicts a Welsh landscape, aligning with Wilson’s later-period focus on topographical subjects.

Its provenance within the museum’s collection begins with its acquisition in 1989, with no documented ownership chain preceding this date provided in the sources.

Richard Wilson's 1774 oil painting, Cader Idris, with the Mawddach River, is currently held by the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland. The work entered the museum's collection under the accession number 1989.52. Created in England, the canvas depicts a mountainous landscape featuring the Mawddach River and trees.

While the provided sources confirm the artwork's current institutional home, its specific inventory number, and its creation date of 1774, they do not contain details regarding a specific history of exhibitions or prior ownership records.

Legacy

The 1774 oil painting Cader Idris, with the Mawddach River, entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, a placement that signals its recognized importance within the corpus of British landscape art. Its inclusion in a major museum's holdings has allowed scholars to reference the work when tracing the development of 18th‑century landscape painting and its impact on later artists. Documentation of the piece notes its creation in England, its dimensions, and its material composition, all of which contribute to an ongoing assessment of Richard Wilson’s artistic legacy.

Overview

Richard Wilson's Cader Idris, with the Mawddach River, completed in 1774, is an oil painting held in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art. This work exemplifies the artist's contribution to elevating landscape as a significant genre within British art. Wilson, a Welsh painter, is recognized for his influential role in shaping the aesthetic appreciation for natural scenery during the eighteenth century.

Context

Richard Wilson's artistic development spanned both Britain and Italy, where he refined his approach to landscape painting. His work, including Cader Idris, with the Mawddach River, was instrumental in establishing landscape as a respected and independent genre within British art during the 18th century. Wilson's contributions helped cultivate a new appreciation for native scenery, influencing subsequent generations of British artists.