River Scene: Bathers and Cattle
Maker
Richard Wilson
(British, 1714 - 1782)
Collections
ClassificationsPAINTINGS
Dateca.1763-1765
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensions36 x 57 in. (91.4 x 144.8 cm.)
DescriptionThis painting shows an imaginary view of ideal scenery, intended to evoke associations with Italy and its classical past.
Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Label TextIn this painting, Wilson constructs a scene that calls to mind the landscape of Italy. Individual features are based on actual observations made during the artist's travels—the ruined monument that rises from the bluffs is the Temple of Minerva Medica in Rome. By removing the ruin from its contemporary urban setting, Wilson creates an image that is meant to evoke the classical past rather than serve as a portrait of a place. In this way, he seeks to raise his status beyond that of landscape painter toward the rarified position of history painter.Status
On viewObject number34.3
