Joseph Mallord William Turner

Study for the Composition of ‘Dolbadern Castle, North Wales’

c.1799–1800

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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

View by appointment
Artist
Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of
Studies for Pictures Sketchbook
Medium
Chalk on paper
Dimensions
Support: 210 × 135 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference
D04129
Turner Bequest LXIX 113

Display caption

The immediate result of Turner's visits to Wales in 1798 and 1799 was a group of large atmospheric watercolours, some of which are shown here. But he also utilised his experience of the mountain scenery in a monumental painting of Dolbadarn Castle, at the foot of Snowdon, which he exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1800, and which he subsequently presented to the institution once he was elected a member. This colour sketch is one of six studies for the picture in this book, which reveal how Turner experimented with the forms of the swirling clouds and the sunset light before transfering them to his painting.

Gallery label, September 2004

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Catalogue entry

Turner submitted his painting of Dolbadarn to the Royal Academy exhibition of 1800, and presented it as his Diploma work on his election as full Academician in that year (Royal Academy of Arts, London).1 For five other studies in coloured chalks for the composition in this book and the picture for which they are studies, see under folio 102 recto (D04118; Turner Bequest LXIX 103).

Andrew Wilton
May 2013

1
Butlin and Joll 1984, pp.9–10 no.12, pl.7 (colour).

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