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    300 years
    "Byrne" Is linked to these Works of Art
    of 18

    Prospect of Caernarfon Castle from the North

    Prospect of Caernarfon Castle from the North
    Prospect of Caernarfon Castle from the North
    Prospect of Caernarfon Castle from the North
    The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
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    Artist
    William Byrne (1743-1805) after Wilson
    Title
    Prospect of Caernarfon Castle from the North
    Date
    Published 17 July 1775
    Medium
    Engraving
    Dimensions
    Metric: Sheet: 507 x 675 mm; plate: 355 x 505 mm
    Imperial: Sheet: 20 x 26 9/16 in.; plate: 14 x 19 7/8 in.
    Collection
    The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth. To license images click here.
    Accession Number
    PE00194/a
    Wilson Online Reference
    E27B
    Description
    View of a Norman castle with angled towers in the walls on the right, overlooking a river, with wooded banks opposite on the left and fields in the distance. On the near side of a broad stretch of water, a woman is milking a cow and two other figures are resting on the bank in the centre foreground.
    Signature/inscription
    Lettered below the image:
    [1] In English and French: CARNARVON CASTLE, | the Birth Place of Edward II. in North Wales || LE CHATEAU DE CARNARVON, | ou le Roy Edouard II. étoit né, dans la Principauté de Galles.
    [2] Production details: 'Richd. Wilson pinxt', 'Willm. Byrne sculpt'
    [3] Publication line: 'Published July 17th. 1775 by John Boydell, Engraver in Cheapside, London'
    Subject
    Caernarvon Castle is located on the northern banks of the River Seiont on the Caernarvonshire coast in North Wales, across the Menai Straits from the Island of Anglesey. Its massive ruins offered the traveller in search of the picturesque an impressive reminder of Britain's heroic past. The castle was begun by Edward I in 1284 and his son Edward, the first English Prince of Wales, was born in the great Eagle Tower on 25 April that year.
    Versions
    See 'Links' tab.
    Other impressions are at The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth / Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru (4609344 & PE194/b)
    Related Paintings
    P12 Caernarvon Castle, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit
    P12A Caernarvon Castle, Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, New Haven
    P12C Caernarvon Castle with Anglesea in the Distance, Private Collection
    P12D Caernarvon Castle, National Museum Wales, Cardiff
    Critical commentary
    This print is one of the set, Six Views in North and South Wales, all after Wilson, published by John Boydell in 1775.
    Bibliography
    R. Gough, Anecdotes of British Topography, London 1768, p. 603; Edwards 1808, p. 88
    More Information
    An impression belonged to William Lock of Norbury and featured in his sale, Sotheby's London 3-7 May 1821 (619).

    Work of Art

    Versions

    • William Byrne (1743-1805)after Wilson, Carnarvon Castle, Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, New Haven
    • William Byrne (1743-1805)after Wilson, Caernarvon Castle, National Museum Wales, Cardiff
    • William Byrne (1743-1805)after Wilson, Carnarvon Castle, The British Museum
    • William Byrne (1743-1805)after Wilson, Carnarvon Castle, the Birthplace of Edward II, in North Wales, The British Museum

    Paintings

    • Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782), Caernarvon Castle, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit
    • Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782), Caernarvon Castle, Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, New Haven
    • Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782), Caernarvon Castle with Anglesea in the Distance, Private Collection
    • Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782), Caernarvon Castle, National Museum Wales, Cardiff

    Biographies

    • William Byrne (1743-1805)
    • John Boydell (1720-1804)

    Documents

    • Edward Edwards, Anecdotes of Painters who have resided or been born in England; with critical Remarks on their Productions
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