Joseph Mallord William Turner

Klotten and Burg Coraidelstein from the East

c.1839

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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

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Artist: Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of: Meuse-Moselle Gouache and Watercolour Drawings
Medium: Gouache and watercolour on paper
Dimensions: Support: 143 × 191 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference: D29029
Turner Bequest CCXCII 78

Catalogue entry

This gouache of the picturesque German village of Klotten on the Moselle shows the alternative, easterly view to Tate D20237; Turner Bequest CCXXI D. The present work is based on a pencil sketch in the Cochem to Coblenz – Home sketchbook of 1839 (Tate D28551; Turner Bequest CCXCI 8).

In this view the Castle or Burg Coraidelstein appears precariously perched atop a steep gorge, overlooking Klotten and the Church of Saint-Maximin. Turner’s colouring is vivid, comprised of amber, gold, mauve and blue pigments applied in a fluid and gestural manner. Highlights of vibrant pink and dark blue mark out the fall of light and dark on the ruins of the Coraidelstein and the craggy rocks surrounding it.

Technical notes:

There has been substantial fading and discolouration of the drawing.

Verso:

Stamped in black with Turner Bequest monogram and ‘CCXCII–78’ at bottom left; inscribed in pencil ‘110 b’ at centre towards right and ‘CCXCII–78’ at bottom centre.

Alice Rylance-Watson
September 2013

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