Cleaned at Leggatts, London in the late 1940s. Kate Lowry has noted:
Support: Original canvas is a simple weave linen, which has subsequently been lined onto a finer weave linen canvas using glue-paste adhesive. Pressure used in the lining process has made the weave pattern of the original canvas more prominent at the face of the painting. The original turnovers were cut away prior to the lining treatment so the painted canvas is slightly smaller than the present stretched dimensions. The left hand edge of the original painted canvas appears to be a selvedge, as the weave is more prominent here, perhaps because not covered by the ground layer.
Stretcher: Four member pine stretcher with square mortice joints and provision for keying out. Dimensions of members: 43mm (w) x 13mm (t). All but one of the keys are present, not tied. Stretcher not much keyed out and in good condition. Not original. Probably dates from the lining treatment; perhaps 19th century in origin.
Stencilled dealer’s catalogue number on lower member reads: PJ950
Attachment to the present stretcher is by means of small tacks through the lining turnover edge. Tacks are slightly rusted but lining turnovers in fair condition and attachment to the stretcher remains good. The lining reverse bears an inked inscription which reads: ‘View in Glamorganshire / Mr Richard Wilson ft’.
Ground: Probably oil medium and quite thinly applied. Not visible at the cut edges but most likely to be white or cream in colour, but definitely not red.
Paint Film: Foreground area and foliage mass of tree upper right is under painted a warm brown. The castle, distant clouds in sky, the horizon and distant landscape as well as the reflections in the lake have been painted with some impasto. Stylistically compatible with Wilson’s painting technique.
Condition of paint film: In normal light there is evidence of blanched retouches in the upper left sky and the foliage of the trees which is quite undefined suggests over-cleaning in these areas.
Under Ultra-violet light the many vertical retouches in the sky along the raised tops of the canvas weave indicates making good after over cleaning in this area. There are also some minor retouches to the castle, in the foliage of the tree upper right, in the immediate foreground along the lower edge of the painting and reinforcing the trunks of the tree at the right hand side of the composition. There are no major damages visible to the paint film, ground or support.
Surface coating: Under UV the varnish film which covers the paint surface appears brownish and the fluorescence subdued, possible due to a layer of dirt on top of the resin coating.
General condition of the painting is sound.
Frame: Dimensions: 370mm (h) x 419mm (w) x 48mm (d)
Gilt compo, with ornate corner mouldings, inner bobble and outer ribbon mouldings. Not original to the painting. Stylistically later in design; not a British frame; possibly Continental in origin. Glazed with glass. No backboard. Painting held into rebate with slip and small pins. In fair condition, with one inner corner moulding damaged. On frame reverse three barcoded dealers’ labels.
