Joseph Mallord William Turner

The first four sketches, from top to rear, depict the Marienburg, a former Augustinian monastery built near the ruins of a Roman fortress in Zell an der Mosel. For other sketches of the Marienburg taken on the 1839 tour see the Trèves to Cochem and Coblenz to Mayence sketchbook (Tate D28378–D28380; Turner Bequest CCXC 14a–15a). Turner also recorded the monastery extensively during his 1824 Meuse- Moselle tour; see the Rivers Meuse and Moselle sketchbook (Tate D19773–D19775, D19779, D19780; Turner Bequest CCXVI 112a–113a, 114a, 115) and the Moselle (or Rhine) sketchbook (Tate D20163, D20164, D20187; Turner Bequest CCXIX 2, 3, 26).

The final views, rendered with abbreviated handling, show the town of Alf situated on the banks of the Alf or Alfbach, a tributary of the Moselle. Alf’s ancient wooden bridge and the spire of St Remigius’s Church are identifiable, as is the medieval Burg Arras in the distance.1 For other views of Alf and Castle Arras see the Trèves to Cochem and Coblenz to Mayence sketchbook (Tate D28372–D28374; Turner Bequest CCXC 11a–12a).