Joseph Mallord William Turner

It seems likely that Turner took in Elterwater on his excursion from Grasmere to Rydal – see folios 46 recto, 47 recto, 48 recto and 65 recto (Tate D01035, D01089, D01036, D01052; Turner Bequest XXXV 33, 87, 34, 50) – although Hill suggests that this constituted a separate trip. If so, it is odd that only this one drawing resulted from it. The view, made with the page turned horizontally, is taken from Loughrigg on the road from Grasmere, looking south across Elterwater towards Langdale with its river, the Brathay flowing down from the Coniston Fells, invisible under cloud in the distance. In the right foreground are a logging cart and a sawpit, which is in use.

Verso:

Blank; stamped in brown ink with Turner Bequest monogram; inscribed by A.J. Finberg in pencil ‘141.36’.