Byron’s Europe: Frontispiece; Gibraltar

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

Introduction: Finden’s Landscape Illustrations to the Life and Works of Lord Byron, 1832-34

In 1831 and 1832 Turner made nine watercolours to be engraved for ‘Finden’s Landscape Illustrations to Mr Murray’s First Complete and Uniform Edition of The Life and Works of Lord Byron.’  The first part was issued alongside the first of Murray’s Life and Work in January 1832, and continued more-or-less monthly through twenty four parts … Continue reading Introduction: Finden’s Landscape Illustrations to the Life and Works of Lord Byron, 1832-34

The Drachenfels on the Rhine, Germany [Drachenfells], c.1832

Watercolour, 5 x 8 ins,, 128 x 204 mm Manchester City Art Gallery (1917.113) Turner catalogues: Wilton 1216; tdb1333 This is a small, highly-finished and richly-coloured watercolour showing the view along a river to a hill surmounted by a castle with a castle-topped promontory to the left. A road runs along the riverside at the … Continue reading The Drachenfels on the Rhine, Germany [Drachenfells], c.1832

Introduction: Illustrations for John Murray’s Life and Works of Lord Byron, 17 vols, 1832-33

Introduction A series of seventeen vignette watercolours made c.1831-33 for John Murray's edition of 'The Life and Works of Lord Byron'. The editions was conceived following Murray's publication in 1830 of the Letters and Journals of Lord Byron with Notices of his Life by Thomas Moore. Shortly afterwards he determined on publishing a popular edition … Continue reading Introduction: Illustrations for John Murray’s Life and Works of Lord Byron, 17 vols, 1832-33

Bacharach on the Rhine, looking upstream, sunset, c.1832

Watercolour vignette on paper, sheet size 9 x 10 7/8 ins, 229 x 276 mm USA, New York, Vassar College Art Gallery, Poughkeepsie. (864.1.217) Turner catalogues: Wilton1222; tdb1339 Vassar College, USA: http://emuseum.vassar.edu/internal/media/dispatcher/9947/resize:format=full This is a small, highly-finished watercolour vignette of boats moored by a town bristling with spires and towers. In the centre is a … Continue reading Bacharach on the Rhine, looking upstream, sunset, c.1832