Two young fisherboys stare out to the horizon of an imagined seascape, one leaning against the helm of a boat in this painting by Merthyr-born Penry Williams. Williams was from a modest background - the son of a stonemason and house painter from Merthyr Tydfil – but showed an early talent for painting, which led him to a successful career in Italy. He moved to Rome in 1827, where he established a busy painting studio which attracted visitors from all over Europe. He was a socialiate – his friendliness, local knowledge and fluency in languages meant that visiting artists, including Turner and Edward Lear, flocked to meet him. His paintings of young Italians and peasants in bright, summery settings – often described as charming or sentimental - were particularly popular with tourists. He became particularly close to the sculptor John Gibson, also from Wales. They worked and lived together in Rome for 30 years, and may have been in a relationship. On his death, Gibson left a large portion of his estate to Williams. Although one of the most successful artists to come from Wales in the 19th century, and one that enjoyed international fame, today Williams’ work is less known.