Joseph Mallord William Turner

Edinburgh from the North-West

1818

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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

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Artist
Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of
Scotch Antiquities Sketchbook
Medium
Graphite on paper
Dimensions
Support: 112 × 186 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference
D13686
Turner Bequest CLXVII 57

Catalogue entry

This view of Edinburgh from the north-west (continuing on folio 59 verso; D13685; CLXVII 56a) is taken from such a distance that only the most prominent landmarks can be made out. Most obvious is Arthur’s Seat, to the left of which can be seen Calton Hill with Nelson’s Monument on top. In front is Edinburgh Castle which sits astride the Castle Rock. The sketch seems to have been made from a hillside which is depicted in the foreground with a single sweeping line, and the rooftops of several houses can be seen just below. There follows a sketch of a very similar view, made as Turner got closer to Edinburgh.

Thomas Ardill
March 2008

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