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

This rough pencil sketch of Luxembourg City from the north was used by Turner to create a gouache and watercolour drawing on blue paper in the winter of 1839 (Tate D20247; Turner Bequest CCXXI N). This prospect shows the Alzette River winding through a narrow valley, flanked by precipitous cliffs. Houses can be seen at the lower reaches of the cliffs, built into the rocks at a sharp angle. A bridge is suggested in the foreground, with a small spired church to its left.

For other sketches of Luxembourg in this book see Tate D28228–D28231, D28266, D28267–D28274, D28276–D28288; Turner Bequest CCLXXXVIII 32a–34, 56a, 57–60, 61–67a. See also the earlier Rivers Meuse and Moselle sketchbook of 1824 (Tate D19712, D19714; Turner Bequest CCXVI 82, 83).