Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe

Kilchurn Castle was a favourite Scottish subject of Varley's in the 1820s, and there are at least 13 versions of this view, with varying arrangements of cattle and anglers. The present work was likely an exhibition watercolour, and has Varley's inscription of the subject, his signature and the date on the back of the original mount together with his 1825 address of 10 1/2 Great Tichfield Street, London. 

Although there are other contenders, it seems probable that this 1825 work of quite large size and high level of finish was the one exhibited by as no. 171 in the 1826 exhibition of the Society of Painters in Water-Colours, bought for 6 guineas by the Rt. Hon. Lord Charles Townshend, M.P. for Tamworth. On the front of the mount, the title is inscribed either, more formally, by the artist or perhaps by an early owner, possibly Lord Townshend, who was one of Varley's principal buyers at the Society's exhibitions in the mid-1820s. There is some fading and restoration in the sky, where spotting has been repaired, but otherwise the colours of this fine watercolour are strong.