Joseph Mallord William Turner

Beeston Castle from the West

1801

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Not on display

Artist
Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of
Chester Sketchbook
Medium
Graphite on paper
Dimensions
Support: 161 × 256 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference
D05139
Turner Bequest LXXXII 60

Catalogue entry

The drawing was made with the page turned horizontally. Beeston Crag is an isolated rocky outcrop in the middle of the north Cheshire plain. The castle on its summit was built in the early thirteenth century by Ranulph de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester, and disused from the sixteenth century on except for a brief redeployment in the Civil War, after which it was partially demolished. The ruins remained of interest to topographers and tourists partly on account of their dramatic position.
This is one of several views of Beeston Castle in this sketchbook; see also the rectos of folios 61–69 (D05140–D05148). The fine view from the castle is recorded on folio 70 recto (D05149).
Verso:
Blank

Andrew Wilton
May 2013

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