'The Road into Martigny from Sembrancher: The Castle of La Bâtiaz Overlooking the Rhône Valley', Joseph Mallord William Turner

Artwork details

Artist

Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775‑1851)

Title

The Road into Martigny from Sembrancher: The Castle of La Bâtiaz Overlooking the Rhône Valley

From Grenoble Sketchbook

Turner Bequest LXXIV

Date 1802

MediumGraphite, chalk and gouache on paper

Dimensionssupport: 282 x 211 mm

Collection

Tate

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

Reference

D04509

Turner Bequest LXXIV 16

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

Display caption

During the summer of 1802, following the Peace of Amiens, Turner made a brief, but arduous tour of the Alps. In this sketch, one of over ninety drawings made on buff paper, he depicts the outline of the fortified tower of La Batiaz at Martigny. By this stage on his journey, Turner had already passed the most magnificent peaks of the alpine range. His experience of this sublime scenery was apparently heightened by 'very fine Thunder Storms'. It is possible that the low clouds coming down the valley in this view were responsible for the spots of rain still visible on the paper, demonstrating the hazards of sketching in the open air.

September 2004