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

Previously unrecognised, this sketch, continued to the right in a few further lines on folio 3 recto (D11525; Turner Bequest CXLVIII 4b, now bound opposite) is identified here as a view of Kirkby Lonsdale from the higher ground of Low Biggins, looking north up the Lune Valley, with St Mary’s Church in the middle distance left, Middleton Fell to the right, and the Howgill Fells in the centre distance. The distant view is similar to that from Kirkby Lonsdale churchyard on folio 4 verso (Tate D11528; Turner Bequest CXLVIII 5a), although that looks further right. It is noteworthy, however, that here the sketch synthesises a rather narrow range of the available mountains upon a somewhat wider view of the town. In the right foreground is what appears to be another church tower. In fact this can be identified as ‘The Gazebo’ built about 17791 in the form of a battlemented tower as a picturesque summerhouse high enough to enjoy a fine view of the Lune Valley. It stood on the south side of Jingling Lane, but had disappeared by 1930.2 The present writer has dated Turner’s sketches of Kirkby Lonsdale to Friday 9 August and Saturday 10 August 1816.