Joseph Mallord William Turner

This is an extended prospect of the Hradcany district in Prague, rendered in three instalments to make one wide view. Prague Castle, the former residence of the kings of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperors, and St Vitus Cathedral, the imperial place of worship, are both pictured, surrounded by extensive fortifications. Turner has inscribed a series of numbers across the drawing that stands for the successive bays of the castle.

Turner produced several views of Prague on the 1835 tour. For other drawings in this sketchbook Tate D30759–30761, D30764–D30765, D30767, D30771–D30773, D30775–D30777, D30779–D30783, D30788–D30790, D30792–D30803, D30805, D30807–D30811, D30813–D30820; Turner Bequest CCCIV 68–69, 70a–71, 72, 74–75, 76–77, 78–80, 82a–84, 85–91, 92, 93–96, 97–102. See also the Dresden, Tepliz and Prague sketchbook (Tate D30344–D30361, D30364–D30366; Turner Bequest CCCI 25–33a, 36–37).