Explorations in the footsteps of Turner, Cotman, Ruskin and others with Professor David Hill
This the fourth instalment of a tour through the Illustrations to the Life and Works of Lord Byron published between 1832 and 1834. Here we consider the first plate, which takes us to the Dee valley in Aberdeenshire and into a formative experience of the Scottish landscape. The Valley of the Dee, Scotland, looking towards Ballater and … Continue reading Byron’s Europe: Plate 1, Lochnagar
This the third instalment of a tour through the Illustrations to the Life and Works of Lord Byron published between 1832 and 1834. Here we look at the image chosen to serve as the frontispiece to the whole series, a view of Gibraltar by Turner. Splendid as it certainly is, its relationship with Byron’s Life … Continue reading Byron’s Europe: Frontispiece; Gibraltar
This the second instalment of a tour through the Illustrations to the Life and Works of Lord Byron published between 1832 and 1834. The series consists of one hundred and twenty-six subjects so this promises to be a long and varied journey. Here we visit our first destination, starting out amongst the Alps on the … Continue reading Byron’s Europe: Title page, Villeneuve, Switzerland
As we peer out from locked down tiers and count down the days until Brexit it seems an opportune moment to give some thought to Europe. So while Boris paddles the battle bus up the creek he claims the People of Britain voted for, I propose we take back control and chart an alternative voyage … Continue reading Byron and the idea of Europe: Introduction
This is a group of four watercolours, two of subjects in Margate, and another two views at Minster, a few miles inland. Turner is thought to have attended school in Margate at the beginning of his teenage years. The group is undoubtedly juvenile work. The colouring is rather thin and the drawing slightly wobbly and … Continue reading Margate and Minster Group: an introduction
Pen, ink and watercolour on paper, 12 1/8 x 17 1/8 ins, 308 x 435 mm Private Collection Turner catalogues: Wilton 1; tdb 147 This is one of a series of four very early watercolours all sharing the same provenance, evidently having been gifted by Turner's mother to a Jane Hunt of London who married … Continue reading St John’s Church, Margate, Kent, c.1788
Pen ink and watercolour on paper, 10 5/8 x 16 ins, 270 x 407 mm Private Collection Turner catalogues; Wilton 2; tdb 148 This is one of a series of four watercolours all sharing the same provenance, evidently having been gifted by Turner's mother to a Jane Hunt of London who married James Taylor of … Continue reading A street in Margate, looking down to the harbour, c.1788
Pen, ink and watercolour on paper, 12 x 16 3/4 ins, 305 x 426 mm Inscribed in watercolour over the porch '1574' Private Collection Turner catalogues: Wilton no.3; tdb149 This is one of a series of four watercolours, two of Margate and two of Minster, all sharing the same provenance, evidently having been gifted by … Continue reading Minster Church, Isle of Thanet, Kent, c.1788
Pen, ink and watercolour, 10 7/8 x 14 7/8 ins, 276 x 378 mm Private Collection Turner catalogues: Wilton no.4; tdb 150; This is one of a series of four watercolours, two of Margate and two of Minster, all sharing the same provenance, evidently having been gifted by Turner's mother to a Jane Hunt of … Continue reading Distant View of Minster, Isle of Thanet, Kent, c.1788
I brightened a few grey days recently reviewing the contents of a portfolio of drawings that I acquired in 2017. I bought it for a Cotman watercolour that it contained, but sixteen other pencil drawings, seven watercolours and one photograph bundled with it have proved almost as equally engaging at the Cotman, in most cases … Continue reading A Twopeny Portfolio: Introduction
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