Joseph Mallord William Turner

Tantallon Castle and Bass Rock

1818

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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

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Artist
Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of
Scotch Antiquities Sketchbook
Medium
Graphite on paper
Dimensions
Support: 112 × 186 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference
D13591
Turner Bequest CLXVII 4 a

Catalogue entry

Made from the same position as the sketch on folio 4 (D13590; CLXVII 4), but here looking more to the north to include the Bass Rock, this is one of several sketches that include both Tantallon Castle and the island (see folio 3; D13589; CLXVII 3). On this occasion Turner has not drawn the castle in detail, just indicated its position with a faint outline. Bass Rock is carefully, but similarly lightly sketched. More attention is paid to the cliff edge which falls away perilously beneath the artist’s feet, leading down to the sandy bay beneath the castle.
A yellow stain has bled along the top edge of the page from the painted edges of this sketchbook.

Thomas Ardill
February 2007

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