J.M.W. Turner: Sketchbooks, Drawings and Watercolours

This sheet relates to Turner’s 1836 tour of the Alps, which he made in the company of the wealthy Scottish landowner H.A.J. Munro of Novar; for more information, see the Introduction to this section.

The study shows a similar viewpoint to that seen in another sheet catalogued in this section: D25381 (Turner Bequest CCLXIII 258). The Turner scholar David Hill identified both sheets as views of Mont Blanc and the nearer Le Chetif (or Mont Chetif) from Pre-Saint-Didier in Italy’s Aosta Valley. Although the angle is slightly different, they share loosely rendered foreground details, suggesting the two studies were made from close to the same spot. For more information about Turner’s stay in the village and further studies, see the entry for D25381.

Turner’s use of watercolour was here almost monochromatic; he used dark watercolour wash very fluidly, creating an effect that is evocative of rain and stormy Alpine weather.

Verso:

Blank, save for inscriptions: stamped in black with the Turner Bequest monogram and ‘CCLXIII–262’ bottom left; inscribed in pencil ‘65’ near centre and ‘CCLXIII 262’ bottom left.