John Preston Neale, Pen Pont Estate of Penry Williams, Brecknockshire, Wales – c.1820 watercolour painting
John Preston Neale, Pen Pont Estate of Penry Williams, Brecknockshire, Wales – c.1820 watercolour painting
John Preston Neale, Pen Pont Estate of Penry Williams, Brecknockshire, Wales – c.1820 watercolour painting
John Preston Neale, Pen Pont Estate of Penry Williams, Brecknockshire, Wales – c.1820 watercolour painting

John Preston Neale Pen Pont Estate of Penry Williams, Brecknockshire, Wales

An original c.1820 watercolour painting – John Preston Neale, Pen Pont Estate of Penry Williams, Brecknockshire, Wales.

A beautiful miniature study by John Preston Neale (1780–1847) for his illustrated 'Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen, in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland', volume 5, 1820. The view depicts the Penpont Estate on the banks of the River Usk in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. Penpont was the seat of the Williams family, descended from Sir Thomas Bullen. The male heir of each generation was named Penry Williams; at time it was the home of Penry Williams III (1782–1847), who was Lord lieutenant of the county of Brecon from 1836 to 1847.

Neale's six-volume work is celebrated as a critical architectural record of British and Irish country estates. The text accompanying the engraved plate of this view in volume 5 describes: 'Pen Pont is pleasantly and romantically situated at the distance of five miles from the town of Brecon in the beautiful vale of Usk, upon the road to Carmarthen about midway between Trecastle and Brecon. The house stands upon a gentle elevation at a short distance from the river, which with its bridge are shewn in our view… The situation of Pen Pont commands all the beauties of the romantic scenery amid which it is placed.'

In brown and blue wash with graphite and white bodycolour. On cream wove paper.

Please note the small size of this artwork.

+ Read the Artist Research

John Preston Neale (1780–1847)

John Preston Neale (1780–1847) was born at Worstead, Norfolk and baptised at Whitechapel, London. He began his career with botanical and insect drawings; while in search of specimens in Hornsey Wood in 1796, he met John Varley and together they worked on proposed publication 'Picturesque Cabinet of Nature'. This was ultimately short-lived, but he formed a life-long friendship with Varley.

Neale soon turned to architectural subjects, excelling as an architectural draughtsman. He achieved lasting recognition with his major publication 'Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen', issued in multiple volumes between 1818 and 1823. This extensive work documented country houses across Britain with remarkable precision and became a significant visual record of the era’s architecture and estates.

He exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy, from 1797 until 1844, as well the Society of Painters in Oil and Water Colours, the British Institution and of the Society of British Artists. His works can be found in numerous public collections, including Tate, the British Museum, National Galleries of Scotland, National Museum of Wales, Norfolk Museums, and Yale Center for British Art.

COA
+ Artwork Details

Dimensions: Height: 7.9cm (3.11") Width: 12.3cm (4.84")

Presented: Unframed.

Medium: Watercolour

Age: Early 19th-century

Signed: No.

Inscribed: Inscribed verso.

Dated: --

Condition: Some minor age toning, commensurate with age. Please see photos for detail. There are historical adhesive marks and/or paper remnants to the verso, from previous mounting.

Stock number: KD-275