This view of Staffa was made from the north as Turner approached the island on the steamboat, the
Maid of Morven (see folio 43;
D26823). The artist visited the island on a day trip from Tobermory on Mull to see Fingal’s Cave, which he had been asked to paint in watercolour to be engraved as the vignette for the
Lord of the Isles volume of Sir Walter Scott’s
Poetical Works:
Fingal’s Cave, Staffa circa 1833–4 (whereabouts unknown).
1 Having made a quick sketch recording the general shape of the island on the reverse of this page (folio 40 verso;
D26818) Turner was now able, as he drew closer, to make a more detailed study of the island, this time including the basalt columns which make it so famous. Further views of the island are on folios 8 verso–9, 18 verso–22 verso, 24 verso, 27 verso–30 verso, 34 verso, 35, 39 and 42 (
D26760–D26761,
D26777–D26785,
D26788,
D26794 –
D26800,
D26806,
D26807,
D26815,
D26821).
