Caernarvon Castle (1798) : The painting depicts Children play in front of the crumbling ruins of Caernarfon Castle, a symbol of English oppression. Caernarfon Castle, the birthplace of the first Prince of Wales, was built by Edward I. Wilson painted several views of it which vary in topographical accuracy. At that time Caernarfon was a bustling port town, but Wilson has manipulated the landscape to portray it as harmonious and idyllic. The picture glows with a soft Italianate light, uncharacteristic of Wales. Wilson often painted his native landscape with a mind full of his memories of Italy, inspired by the work of continental artists like Claude and Cuyp. The golden light recalls that of the Roman campagna. As in his views of Ancient Roman ruins, the theme is the transience of human achievement. *JMW (Joseph Mallord William) TURNER (1775-1851) was one of the most important English Romantic Painters of the 19th century. He is known for his expressive colourisations, imaginative landscapes and turbulent, often violent marine paintings. Turner's imagination was sparked by shipwrecks, fires, and natural phenomena such as sunlight, storm, rain, and fog. He was fascinated by the violent power, turbulence and tidestorms of the sea. It's said that his last words before death were, 'The Sun is God!'