Lot 285: Thomas Jones (1742-1803)

A hilly wooded river landscape with two figures in the foreground and a castle possibly St. Briavels, on the Wye
with signature and date '1772' (lower left)
oil on canvas
15 1/2 x 25 1/2 in. (39.4 x 64.7 cm.)

Thomas Jones was born in Llandrindod Wells and brought up at Pencerrig, near Builth Wells. He trained firstly at Shipley's Drawing School and then with Richard Wilson. In 1769 he attended the Royal Academy Schools. He was elected to the Society of Artists in 1766 and worked for the next ten years as a professional artist in London. However, he made return visits to his Welsh homeland in 1772 spending four months there, during which time he records that he made 'a good many Studies in Oil on paper' (Memoirs, p.27). This picture may have been adapted from one of these studies. It has been suggested that it depicts St. Briavels Castle, on the Wye. Jones is known to have painted pictures inspired by specific scenes but that were not intended to be topographically accurate.

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.