While the name of Richard Wilson is not as well known as some of those who followed in his footsteps, his role in the history of British landscape art is highly significant. Both Turner and Constable acknowledged his influence.

Wilson was born in Montgomeryshire, the son of a local parson. Recognising his talent for drawing and painting, Sir George Wynne - a family friend- arranged for young Richard to study in London under Thomas Wright.

Wilson quickly established a reputation for himself, winning several prized commissions to paint the portraits of some of the leading personalities of the day. Among his subjects was Flora Macdonald, newly released from the Tower of London after helping Bonnie Prince Charlie to escape to freedom. He also painted the young royal princes for their tutor, the Bishop of Norwich.

While this early work was clearly good for his financial position, Wilson’s real interest lay in landscape painting and the work of landscape masters like Nicolas Poussin, and Claude Lorrain. In 1749 Wilson moved to Italy where he was to spend six years developing his own landscape style.

While critics regard the next few years as the most creatively important phase of his career, Wilson’s work was not widely appreciated by his contemporaries. Landscape painting was very much he poor relation of portraiture. Wilson apparently became somewhat embittered, occupying insalubrious accommodation in Tottenham Court road.

Nevertheless he attracted some useful patrons, including the wealthy landowner Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn. Among his most important works are some memorable Welsh scenes including The View Near Wynnstay, Snowdon and Llyn Peris and Dolbadarn Castle. He spent the last years of his life in North Wales after inheriting a small estate at Llanferres in Denbighshire.

Today Wilson’s landscapes grace many of the world’s leading collections. No fewer than nine examples of his work can be found at the National Gallery in London.