River Landscape with a Castle c. 1780s

Robert Adam, the celebrated Scottish neoclassical architect, created this watercolor river landscape with a castle. The scene evokes a sense of idealized nature, reflecting the picturesque aesthetic that gained popularity in the 18th century. During this period, the landed gentry often commissioned artists to depict their estates, subtly reinforcing their power and status. Adam, who catered to this elite clientele, captures both the grandeur of the natural landscape and the implied dominion of the castle overlooking it. The small figures in the boat, dwarfed by the scenery, serve to emphasize the scale and majesty of the setting, while the castle becomes a symbol of authority and legacy. The romanticized landscape invites viewers to imagine themselves within this serene, controlled environment, reflecting the desires and values of the era’s ruling class.