'Details of the Architecture of Orléans Cathedral: The Spire over the Crossing and the Southern Tower', Joseph Mallord William Turner

Artwork details

Artist

Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775‑1851)

Title

Details of the Architecture of Orléans Cathedral: The Spire over the Crossing and the Southern Tower

From Loire, Tours, Orleans and Paris Sketchbook

Turner Bequest CCXLIX

Date 1826

MediumGraphite on paper

Dimensionssupport: 153 x 103 mm

Collection

Tate

Acquisition Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856

Reference

D23309

Turner Bequest CCXLIX 32 a

View this artwork by appointment, at Tate Britain's Prints and Drawings Rooms

Turner's sketchbooks

View this artwork in the Loire, Tours, Orleans and Paris Sketchbook

Display caption

Many of the pencil sketches in this and two other sketchbooks used on Turner's 1826 journey up the Loire relate to the coloured drawings worked up for the 1833 publication, 'Turner's Annual Tour - the Loire'. This drawing is typical of many in his sketchbooks, where an architectural fragment has caught his eye and is scrutinised and recorded in detail. Such studies as this came in useful when completing the more finished colour designs and when advising his engravers about particular details in their work.

August 2004