Solitude c. 1762 - 1770

Richard Wilson painted this scene, entitled "Solitude", using oil on canvas. The very essence of solitude here is symbolized by the presence of figures, most notably the lone, cloaked figure. This motif of a solitary figure, deep in thought amid nature, can be seen across epochs. Consider depictions of hermits in medieval art, or even the wandering philosophers of antiquity, all embodiments of introspection. Here, Wilson evokes a certain melancholy through the figure’s posture, a visual shorthand that resonates even today. But, what elevates this work beyond a mere illustration of solitude is its connection to a broader cultural memory. The idyllic landscape, reminiscent of classical Arcadia, contrasts with the quiet sorrow of the figure, creating a tension that mirrors humanity's eternal quest for peace. The presence of monkeys are a symbol of the primitive, an embodiment of nature, juxtaposed against the meditative state of the man. This brings to mind the cyclical nature of human emotion, how we oscillate between states of communion and isolation.