Dolbadarn Castle

The picture was part of a long and detailed study of Welsh landscape by the artist. Turner's tour of Wales in the Summer of 1798 included a visit to Dolbadarn but his tour of 1799 resulted in the Dolbadarn Sketchbook (Tate Britain TB XLVI)and numerous studies. On his return to London Turner undertook a large scale project to develop the ideas of tragic Welsh history and wild mountain landscape. The present work was part of that project and a culmination of his drawings and watercolours where he changes pace towards the grand oil painting which he offered to the Royal Academy as his diploma piece in 1800. The painting depicts a tragic moment in Welsh history: in 1255, Owain Goch the brother of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd ( Y Llyw Olaf,obit. 1282) was imprisioned at the tower until a release order was given in 1277. This event marked an important aspect of the break up of native Welsh rule.Owain is shown wearing a red tunic, led by soldiers to Dolbadarn tower, which was set at a considerable height in the middle distance.