View of Glenfeshie, circa 1830-3

The view shows the opening to the upper glen of Glenfeshie (Perthshire) with the hill of Creag Caillich to the right. Landseer painted numerous landscapes at Glenfeshie in the period 1830-35 when he and the Duchess of Bedford and other close friends spent time in the huts there (of which the foundations are still extant) living the simple life. Landseer's first visit to Scotland was in 1824 when he stayed with Sir Walter Scott, amongst others, and fell under the spell of the landscape. Every autumn, he returned to the highlands where he would indulge in his favourite pastime of stalking as well as making sketches on the spot of the rugged and wild countryside that fascinated him. The picturesque scenery intoxicated him and excercised a strong influence on his work for many years. His sketches seem to have been done for pleasure and on the whole used for his major paintings. Many of them such as this picture were included in his studio sale. Landseer was one of the first artists to give visual expression to the romantic view of the highlands, which still affects our attitudes today.
We are grateful for Richard Ormond's help in identifying the view and dating the picture.