Joseph Mallord William Turner

With the sketchbook inverted, this sketch shows a view of Dryburgh Abbey from the west (see also folio 72 verso; D26057; CCLXVII 74a). In the foreground is the west gable of the refectory with its impressive rose window. Turner’s inscription ‘13’ probably refers to the number of segments it is divided into; although there are in fact 12. Behind the refectory to its right is the gabled wall of the south transept with its arched window, and to the right of this can be seen one of the gables of the chapter house.

The sketch is one of a number of close-up studies of Dryburgh Abbey (folios 71 verso–73 verso (D26055–D26059; CCLXVII 73a–75a), made when Turner visited it on 8 August (see folio 9; D25942; CCLXVII 9).