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

This is probably the most careful depiction that Turner made of Ardtornish Castle, which sits on a promontory on the Morvern side of the Sound of Mull, although the landscape surrounding it is only roughly sketched. The view is from the south-south-east, and, although only a quick sketch, Turner has taken the time to shade the east-facing parts of the castle (showing that the sun is setting as in sketches of Aros Castle made a few minutes before on folio 50; D26838), and to draw a few of the stones at the lower part of the south-west façade. This contrasts with a very similar view on folio 52 verso (D26843). The study is one of nine, made as Turner steamed down the Sound on his return to Oban after visiting the isles of Skye and Staffa: see folio 51 (D26480) for references.