Joseph Mallord William Turner

Girtin had exhibited a large view of the Glaslyn valley, to much critical acclaim, at the Royal Academy in the summer of 1799. This painting, as Turner probably knew, was based on a watercolour sketch made on the spot during the previous year. Although Turner himself never produced a finished painting of this subject it can be no coincidence that the following three sketches represent variants of Girtin's view. That Turner sometimes folded his North Wales sketches while still wet is particularly evident on this example; paint has run down the middle fold and left impressions on the opposite side of the sheet.

Gallery label, September 2004

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