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

This is the third sketch in this book showing the apse of St Michael’s church and the south-east corner of Linlithgow Palace (see folios 43 verso–44 and folios 45 verso–46; D13656–D13657, D13660–D13661; CLXVII 41a–42, 43a–44). One of the sketches formed the basis of a watercolour study (Tate D25325, Turner Bequest CCLXIII 203), leading Katrina Thomson to suggest that Turner had considered this view as a possible alternative to his view of Linlithgow Palace from the north-east for the Provincial Antiquities (see folio 46). Having already made two detailed double-page sketches, it was not necessary here for Turner to include much architectural detail beyond the basic shape of the two buildings, and their relative positions. Instead he concentrates more on the trees to the right of the page which are not present in the other two sketches. The sketch continues onto the right of folio 48 (D13665; CLXVII 46).

There is a pink smudge next to Finberg’s inscription; the remains of Ruskin’s red ink numbering.

Verso:

Blank