Turner's early training involved him making copies of depictions of the celebrated sights of the Italian . Though related to this kind of exercise, these two newly-identified show French scenes. Both were made at least five years before he travelled to France for the first time in 1802, and some thirty years before he actually went to the Touraine region himself. He may have based his copies on works in the collection of Dr Thomas Monro, like the Italian subjects, but the actual sources for the sketches have, so far, not been identified. The view of Blois is especially interesting in anticipating the of the subject for Turner's Annual Tour, 1833 (no.123, next room).
Gallery label, August 2004
Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.