?Caernarfon Castle

c.1832–3

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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

View by appointment

Artist: Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of: Studies for Published ‘England and Wales’ Subjects
Medium: Watercolour on paper
Dimensions: Support: 345 x 483 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference: D25131
Turner Bequest CCLXIII 9

Display caption

The indistinctness of the building depicted renders its identification difficult, but it could be Caernarvon Castle as seen in evening light. Turner certainly represented that building in similar light conditions and colours around 1833 for the 'England and Wales' series of engravings, albeit from a nearer viewpoint. The size of the present design is that of an 'England and Wales' series drawing before trimming, which suggests that it was linked to that scheme, as a preparatory work at least. Turner's use of the large-scale diffusion of watercolour is particularly well represented in this work.

Gallery label, September 2004

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