In Turner’s Footsteps between Lucerne and Thun: #19 Evening over the Sarnersee

Here we continue our journey through Turner’s Between Lucerne and Thun sketchbook. On the previous page we left Turner making hasty jottings at the Landenberg above Sarnen. Here he rounds off that survey and looks to the next stage of his journey up the valley. Turner's Between Lucerne and Thun sketchbook, Tate, open at pages … Continue reading In Turner’s Footsteps between Lucerne and Thun: #19 Evening over the Sarnersee →

In Turner’s Footsteps between Lucerne and Thun: #18 Sarnen and the Landenberg

Here we continue our journey through Turner’s Between Lucerne and Thun sketchbook. On the previous page we left Turner travelling by char through Alpnach en route for Sarnen. From what we discover here and on the following page spread, it appears that Turner elected to press on to Lungern before nightfall. He spared time at … Continue reading In Turner’s Footsteps between Lucerne and Thun: #18 Sarnen and the Landenberg →

In Turner’s Footsteps between Lucerne and Thun: #17 By char to Sarnen

Here we continue our journey through Turner’s Between Lucerne and Thun sketchbook. On the previous page we left Turner travelling by char through Alpnach en route for Sarnen. Here his sketches prompt some consideration of his latest mode of travel. Turner's Between Lucerne and Thun sketchbook, Tate, open at pages 14a-15 The left page contains … Continue reading In Turner’s Footsteps between Lucerne and Thun: #17 By char to Sarnen →

In Turner’s Footsteps between Lucerne and Thun: #16 Landing at Alpnach

Here we continue our journey through Turner’s Between Lucerne and Thun sketchbook. On the previous page we left Turner in afternoon sunshine being rowed across the Alpnachersee. On this page we land at the head of the lake and continue our journey by road to the village of Alpnach. Turner's Between Lucerne and Thun sketchbook, … Continue reading In Turner’s Footsteps between Lucerne and Thun: #16 Landing at Alpnach →

In Turner’s Footsteps between Lucerne and Thun: #15 From Stanstaad across the Alpnachersee

Here we continue our journey through Turner’s Between Lucerne and Thun sketchbook. On this page we set out by boat from Stansstad across the Alpnachersee. The modern steamer takes about twenty minutes. Turner appears to have hired a rowing boat with a couple of oarsmen. Giving himself sufficient time to set down the views en … Continue reading In Turner’s Footsteps between Lucerne and Thun: #15 From Stanstaad across the Alpnachersee →

In Turner’s Footsteps between Lucerne and Thun: #14 Arrival at Stansstad

Here we resume our journey through Turner’s Between Lucerne and Thun sketchbook. We left Turner enjoying a boat ride across the Lake of Lucerne and taking in panoramas of Mont Pilatus in one direction and of the Burgenstock in another. Turner's Between Lucerne and Thun sketchbook, Tate, open at pages 11a-12 This double-page spread records … Continue reading In Turner’s Footsteps between Lucerne and Thun: #14 Arrival at Stansstad →

Turner’s Chateau d’Arques la Bataille, near Dieppe, c.1834

This article discusses a French subject painted by Turner in connection with 'The Prose Works of Sir Walter Scott'. Following previous articles on Calais and Abbeville, it is the third of four compositions to illustrate Scott’s two-volume History of France. It becomes apparent that the subjects variously explore the idea of arrival in France and … Continue reading Turner’s Chateau d’Arques la Bataille, near Dieppe, c.1834 →

Lights will guide you home: Turner at Calais #7

This article concludes the consideration of Turner’s watercolour and 1836 engraving of the harbour at Calais. In the previous instalment I claimed that the engraving was representative of the cutting edge of image technology. Here I propose that the same edge cuts through the content. The lighthouse itself is a beacon to modernity. Though lighthouses … Continue reading Lights will guide you home: Turner at Calais #7 →

Lights will guide you home: Turner at Calais #6

This article continues the consideration of Turner’s watercolour and 1836 engraving of the harbour at Calais. In the previous instalment we contrasted Turner's view with some more straightforward treatments of the subject. Here we begin to explore the range of aspects woven into it. A dreamwork is churned first in the imagination of the artist, … Continue reading Lights will guide you home: Turner at Calais #6 →

Lights will guide you home: Turner at Calais #5

This article continues the consideration of Turner’s watercolour and 1836 engraving of the harbour at Calais. In the last we encountered numerous issues with Turner's rendition of the key landmarks. Here we begin to wonder what might be made of his waywardness. Calais, an illustration to Walter Scott's 'Tales of a Grandfather', i.e. Calais Harbour, … Continue reading Lights will guide you home: Turner at Calais #5 →