Tintern Abbey

This work is an important addition to the small but growing collection in Chepstow Museum of original paintings and drawings of the Lower Wye Valley made by artists following the Wye Tour. Varley made sketching tours to Wales from circa 1798 and drew on the subject matter throughout his career. Varley was a key figure in the history of watercolour painting; founding the Society of Painters in Water-Colour in 1805, teaching and writing instruction manuals on technique. He encouraged drawing from nature using Picturesque theories on adapting nature to the requirements of composition, concealing and omitting aspects that did not conform to the ‘ideal’ landscape. For example the surrounding hills in this work are more reminiscent of North Wales. This is the first work by Varley to be acquired by Chepstow.