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Cymraeg
A topographical image of people standing in Beaumaris
19 July - 1 March

Anglesey and the Topographical Tradition

This exhibition presents a comprehensive collection of topographical views of Anglesey from the George Lees bequest and the Oriel’s collection.

19 July to 1 March 2026

Gallery

Museum

Style

Multi

Medium

Mixed media

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Grand Tour provided an opportunity for aristocrats to discover the wonders of Europe and beyond. This was a time before photography and drawing and painting were the only ways to capture views. Landscape art became popular, and paintings were often turned into prints to illustrate guidebooks. During the 19th century political unrest affected the European Grand Tour, and many artists toured Britain instead. Wales became a popular destination, and Anglesey received the attention of these travelling artists. This exhibition presents a comprehensive collection of topographical views of Anglesey from the George Lees bequest and the Oriel’s collection.

Topographic engraving of Amlwch Harbour
William Daniell (1769-1837) was a landscape and marine painter and prolific printmaker. During the summers of 1813 and 1814 he embarked upon an ambitious project – A Voyage Round Great Britain. His intention was to travel the coast, painting and drawing important and significant sites. The text was prepared by Richard Ayton, a dramatist and writer, and they began their journey in Cornwall. After completing work for the first two volumes, reaching Scotland’s west coast, Daniell and Ayton were to part company, and the artist was left to finish the project alone. The eight volumes contain over 300 aquatint engravings, all hand-coloured, and were published Between 1814 and 1825. Lighthouses, boats, and people working on the coast were all of interest to Daniell, and Anglesey received its fair share of attention. Amlwch harbour one of the seven views donated by Mair and George Lees.
South View of Holyhead Collegiate Church
South View of Holyhead Collegiate Church Engraving with hand colouring published 1770s drawn between 1725 and 1742 by Samuel and Nathaniel Buck donated by Mair and George Lees.
Topographic engraving of South West View of Penmon Priory
Engraving with hand colouring published 1770s drawn between 1725 and 1742 by Samuel and Nathaniel Buck donated by Mair and George Lees.
Topographic etching of the Market Place of Holyhead, Anglesea’
Engraving with hand colouring drawn by Francis Grose in 1769 engraved by Samuel Sparrow donated by Mair and George Lees. This print, engraved on copper, was published in The Antiquities of England and Wales, by Francis Grose (1731-1791). It was released in multiple volumes between 1773 and 1778 and included prints by various engravers, all based upon Grose’s drawings. Many of the buildings shown in the volumes have long since been lost, making it an important historical record.