A distant view of Harlech Castle and Snowdon beyond, North Wales

Like many artists of the time, Varley portrayed Harlech Castle and Snowdon on a number of ocassions, exhibiting 23 versions of the subjects at the Royal Academy from 1803 to 1840. The present watercolour can be closely associated with one in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London (inv. 1735-1900, see C. M. Kauffman, John Varley, London, 1984, p. 136, illustrated). An explanation for the similarity between of the two watercolours may be found in the inscription 'Digby Murray' (lower centre in the present lot). Sir John Digby Murray, 10th Bt. (1798-1881) was a patron of the arts, with connections to John Linnell (1792-1882), a close friend and contemporary of Varley. It has been noted that Linnell had created copies of his works for Murray (see Anonymous sale; Bonham's, London, 5 November 2002, lot 145), and so it could be suggested that Murray had made a similar request of Varley.