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

D02379, D02385–D02392, D17202, D40061

Turner Bequest LI L, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, CXCVII L

Turner’s connection with the Lascelles family of Harewood was an important stimulus to his creativity, and the North of England tour of 1797 was at least in part prompted by their commission for a set of views of the house and its grounds. The mansion had been built to the designs of Robert Adam in 1771. Edward Lascelles junior, son of the builder of Harewood, was an able amateur artist to whom Turner gave lessons, and became a distinguished collector patronising several distinguished contemporary artists, including Turner.1

The eight drawings here were made as Turner wandered round the outside of the house and across the estate, seeking suitable viewpoints from which to compose his subjects. There are also drawings made at Harewood, mostly of Harewood Castle, in the North of England sketchbook (Tate D00976–D00985; Turner Bequest XXXIV 67–76). These loose drawings are often on a stout Whatman paper watermarked 1794, though some are on an unidentified French paper of about 1780, which Turner appears to have acquired for experiment. He may have been given it by Edward Lascelles. In all, he produced six large watercolours, showing either the house from different positions or the castle. These remain in the family collection at Harewood.

Two drawings also included here (D02392, D17202; Turner Bequest LI Y, CXCVII L) relate to the Lascelles commission for two paintings of Plompton Rocks, a few miles north-east of Harewood.