Joseph Mallord William Turner

The Churches of Liège

1825

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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

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Artist
Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of
Holland, Meuse and Cologne Sketchbook
Medium
Graphite on paper
Dimensions
Support: 113 × 189 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference
D19446
Turner Bequest CCXV 25 a

Display caption

This sketchbook was used on Turner's visit to the Low Countries in 1825 and it contains many sketches of Liège, chiefly showing prospects of the city from nearby hills or along the Meuse. That on ff.25v-26r shows Liège from the south, with a proud display of its many celebrated churches including the loftily situated St Martin's and the strongly buttressed St James's. It is notable for Turner's masterly use of the pencil with innumerable varied touches - dark and light, sharp and blunt, firm and gentle - constantly interwoven to reveal both the volume of the buildings and the play of light and shade on their surfaces.

Gallery label, August 2004

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