Joseph Mallord William Turner

Turner’s viewpoint for this slight sketch is the Close north-east of Lichfield Cathedral, looking along the north side to the chapter house and transept. He may have been moving around to obtain a satisfactory view, and finding difficulty in the juxtapositions of the roofline. Beyond the central crossing spire there are at first glance three more lightly indicated at the west end, where in reality there are only two, the central, phantom spire having been crossed out.

There is almost a mirror image of this sketch on the verso (D22070), where the building is seen from the south-east. For other views of Lichfield, see under folio 50 verso opposite (D22068).