Sandby made four aquatints of Chepstow and its Castle but this view, executed in bodycolour, is not one used for either aquatint or engravings of the castle. Sandby chose a viewpoint of the Castle that was to become very popular with generations of artists after. It depicts the dramatic entrance of the Castle with its twin towered gatehouse and the huge round tower. Although the Great Tower can be seen spreading back along the cliff with figures of visitors pointing to the ruins in the court above.

Provenance

Christie's, 1996; unsold; Timothy Clode. Sold through Andrew Clayton-Payne. The work has been vetted by the Art Loss Register.