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

This page contains sketches that record Turner’s journey between Dunblane and Doune. The first sketch, drawn at the left of the page with the book turned to the right, concludes a series of sketches begun on folio 58 verso (D26370) of Dunblane Cathedral as seen from the Allan Water to the south. Turner was now some distance from Dunblane on his way west to Doune and only the bell tower of the cathedral can be seen near the centre of the sketch. The ‘Road’ on which he had been travelling is shown in the foreground in the centre with a figure standing with his back to us on the right bank. To the right of this is a field of ‘corn’. The hills in the distance are the Ochils. For more information about Turner’s visit to Dunblane, see folio 57 (D26367).

Having completed this sketch he continued west and soon arrive at Doune Castle (see folio 52 verso; D26358). Making two sketches from the north, the first, the larger sketch at the centre of the page, depicts the castle building in some detail as well as the bank on which is stands and what are presumably the Touch Hills in the distance. The smaller sketch to the right, drawn with the book turned to the left, depicts the castle framed by trees on either side and is more of a composition study.

Having made these sketches of the castle Turner walked west a little way along the River Teith to make the sketch at the top of the page in which the castle is shows as a dark silhouette with a ‘wood’ (presumably the Wood of Doune) to the left. In the middle distance at the right is a tower, perhaps of Dunblane Cathedral, and in the distance to the east are the Ochil Hills.

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