Joseph Mallord William Turner

The subject, apparently figures and animals travelling high above a rocky valley, is unidentified, but may be a northern Italian scene; see the Introduction to this section for further brief discussion and dating. Finberg’s tentative 1909 Inventory title was ‘Ravine, North Italy (?)’,1 although how he arrived at an Italian identification is unclear; he may have adopted an existing title from a checklist of the ongoing Fifth Loan Collection from the Turner Bequest, which did not have a printed catalogue.

The extensive, swift pencil work suggests a direct sketch, worked up in colour subsequently. A careful horizontal stroke of white towards the top right evokes the glint of light on distant water.

Technical notes:

The paper has darkened within the area not formerly protected by a mount while on prolonged display.

Verso:

Blank