Attributed to Salvator Rosa. Research by Bryony Dawkes has found that a painting entitled 'Banditti on the Banks of a River' by Salvator Rosa was once owned by William Beckford (1760-1844). It was probably purchased from a Christie auction on February the 27th 1802. The auction catalogue titles the work as ''Banditti on the Bank of a River; a grand and rocky scene'' followed by a short description; ''This Noble Picture and the following were purchased from the Colonna Palace at Rome: the figures are correctly drawn, and finished with uncommon precision and smartness of pencil: The whole painted in a transparent and harmonious Tone of Colour, in the very finest Style and Time of the Master - truly a chef d'oeuvre''. This description matches the ink label inscription on the back of the Aberystwyth painting
Sublime landscape with bandits; foreground, river with a fallen tree, rocks, bushes and three birds in flight; middleground, a small rocky hill, a dog and four bandits (three seated and one standing) between them wearing armour, a helmet and a plumed hat and holding spears; background, on the left, trees; sky, storm clouds. Painted with thin washes over a burnt sienna ground. Craquelure and possibly some paint loss. Frame in poor condition
