View near Gordale Scar, North Yorkshire

The present watercolour appears to depict the hills to the left of Gordale Scar, which Ward visited in the summer of 1811, during his stay at nearby Gisburn Park. Ward's visit to Gisburn was probably initiated by Lord Ribblesdale's son, the Hon. Thomas Lister, an amateur artist who was keen to understand Ward's working methods.

Gordale Scar had long been admired for its dramatic scenery and it formed one of a number of attractions for those in search of 'Sublime' landscapes. Poets, writers and artists attempted to capture in words and in paintings something of its sublime properties; the artist Edward Dayes considered it one of the grandest spectacles in nature and Ward could not help but be inspired by the subject. He made numerous sketches of the overall landscape and its surroundings, such as the present watercolour, as well as more detailed studies of particular aspects of the Scar. His finished, monumental painting was exhibited in 1815, and is now in Tate Britain.

This watercolour demonstrates the artist's fascination with the geological idiosyncrasies found in a specific location.

We are grateful to Edward Nygren for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.