Joseph Mallord William Turner

The Isère Valley: the Chartreuse and Vercors Seen from the Approach to Grenoble

1802

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Artist
Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of
Grenoble Sketchbook
Medium
Gouache and graphite on paper
Dimensions
Support: 221 × 283 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference
D40205
Turner Bequest LXXIV K

Catalogue entry

This view is taken from above the Isère Valley looking towards Grenoble; the mountains of the Chartreuse extend to the left and the Vercors to the right. Turner drew a similar view, stretching further to the left, in a coloured drawing in the St Gothard and Mont Blanc sketchbook (Tate D04618; Turner Bequest LXXV 26).
Turner’s label inscribed ‘Le Entree des Premier Alps approcant de Grenoble’ probably refers to this subject. Although stamped with the letter ‘K’, the present drawing is probably the one listed by Finberg as ‘Page 25’ of the Grenoble series, which has long been thought to be missing. The paper is badly faded from exposure.
Verso:
Blank

David Blayney Brown
September 2011

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