James Ward (1769–1859) was older than Girtin but was nevertheless considerably influenced by the other artist’s work as he sought to expand his career from its beginnings as an engraver to become a painter in oils and watercolours of landscape, genre, history and animal subjects. He came closest to Girtin in his watercolour sketches from nature, not surprisingly given that he made a large-scale copy of one of Girtin’s on-the-spot Welsh studies, The Cain Falls (Pistyll Cain) (see TG1319 figure 1). It is not known whether the artists knew each other, but Ward owned at least one sketch by Girtin (TG1241). ‘A Street in Weymouth; a study from nature’ was included in his posthumous sale (Exhibitions: Foster’s, 9 May 1860, lot 138).

(?) 1798

The Cain Falls (Pistyll Cain), near Dolgellau

TG1319

(?) 1797

A Street in Weymouth

TG1241