Journey 2
William Gilpin
Merbach Hill
How did Gilpin try to capture scenes of beauty?
As it crosses into England, the Wye first widens, then deepens and slows to large meanders. It becomes
a classically-beautiful river, one that Gilpin sketched repeatedly. “The beauty of these scenes arises
chiefly from two circumstances: the lofty banks of the river and its mazy course,” he wrote.
He had firm rules for composing a picture of the Wye, and thus nature itself. The viewpoint must be perfect, capturing both the ideal backdrop and also creating side ‘screens’.
Nick talks to a local artist, who’s been painting the river for over 20 years. She acknowledges that she probably follows Gilpin’s rules, almost by default, as they do lay the foundations for a picturesque view.