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

This study of Heidelberg is part of a two-page prospect which extends onto the verso of this folio (see Tate D29841; Turner Bequest CCXCVIII 14a). Taken from Neuenheim, the view depicted here encompasses the old bridge, the hillside to the east of the town including a viewing terrace, and Heidelberg Castle on the slope at right. Turner likely returned to this view (and to Tate D29843; Turner Bequest CCXCVIII 15a) to produce a finished watercolour design (private collection) engraved and published in 1846 for Thomas Abel Prior as Heidelberg from the Opposite Bank of the Neckar (Tate impression T05190).

For more views of Heidelberg in this sketchbook see Tate D29815–D29865; Turner Bequest CCXCVIII 1a–26a. See also Tate D30132; Turner Bequest CCC 2 within the Salzburg and Danube sketchbook of 1833. For sketches of the city taken in 1841 see the Berne, Heidelberg and Rhine sketchbook (Tate D32957–D32962, D32966; Turner Bequest CCCXXVI 39a–42, 44). For sketches taken during the1844 tour of Heidelberg and the Neckar, see the Spires and Heidelberg sketchbook (Tate D29783, D29795, D29796, D29799, D29801–D29807; Turner Bequest CCXCVII 6a, 12a, 13, 14a, 15a–19); the On the Neckar sketchbook (Tate D30394, D30456; Turner Bequest CCII 12a, 43a); and the Heidelberg sketchbook (Tate D35223, D35224, D35228, D35229, D35231–D35233, D35235, D35237, D35238; Turner Bequest CCCLII 4a, 5, 8, 9, 11–13, 15, 17, 18). Loose colour studies, paintings and engravings of Heidelberg in the Tate collection include D36183, D36325; Turner Bequest CCCLXVI 325, CCCLXV 34, Tate N00518 and Tate impression T05190.