Alfred Walter Williams, Welsh Landscape With Figures Dragging Bracken

Alfred Walter Williams, Welsh Landscape With Figures Dragging BrackenThis mid 19th century oil painting by British artist Alfred Walter Williams (1824 1905) depicts a figure dragging bracken within rugged Welsh upland scenery. Nestled between formidable north Walian peaks, a dilapidated cottage is near buried under foliage. Its thatch, an amalgam of homespun repairs, its doorway bereft of adequate timber. Two sunlit trees stand alongside, akin to saintly old friends providing shade for the fallen. Its a tale of woe for

the effects of which became visible as they neared the ending post

the ruins afforded an opportunity to include a classical reference in a pastoral landscape

Age-related darkening

Warming his aching slippered feet

Signed/dated and held within a splendid baroque revival gilt frame with extensive ornamentation

Help us to look to that bright placeBeyond the sky

he sought to stem the tide of modernism by championing the old masters

young Macbeth was surrounded by artistic endeavour and the associated bustle of the industry

Baker often sent paintings to the Art Union in Manchester

Perhaps the most intriguing element to this portrait is the ornately decorated book that he’s holding in his right hand

A smorgasbord of fresh goods sprawled on cold checkerboard tiles

probably relate to the owner