The concept of the ‘Picturesque’ in landscape art began to emerge in the 18th century AD. This was the idea that natural scenes, whether in landscaping or in art, should be interesting and varied rather than just beautiful or dramatic. It embodied a new attitude to beauty in nature among the educated upper classes. Art theorists such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and William Gilpin promoted the idea of an idyllic image of the natural world and stressed the importance of the emotional reaction of the viewer. The purpose was not to make an exact reproduction of the natural landscape but rather to rearrange a composition as the artist saw fit. There was also a growing emphasis on conveying atmospheric effects: storm clouds, sunsets and crashing waves.

Later in the century, especially during the Napoleonic Wars which inhibited travel abroad, ‘Picturesque’ tours of scenic views, often in the mountains of Wales, were very fashionable. The natural landscape was admired but so were buildings such as palaces, cathedrals and castles, which were celebrated for their historical importance. Country houses such as Hafod in Cardiganshire also feature on the itineraries of genteel tourists. These buildings were renowned not only for their architectural beauty and landscaped settings but also for their interior decoration and extensive collections of paintings.