Joseph Mallord William Turner

In this rough sketch Turner has depicted the ancient city of Trier from nearby Pallien. The meander of the Moselle occupies the centre of the composition, grassy river islets suggested within it. Beyond, the bridge can be seen, fortified with a towered gatehouse. The city’s monuments are summarily rendered to the left whilst at the right, the rubbly terrain of Pallien’s sandstone cliffs is evoked with free, gestural markings. This sketch, along with Tate D28259–D28260; Turner Bequest CCLXXXVIII 51a – 52, formed the basis of a gouache and watercolour drawing on blue paper of c.1839 (Tate D24715; Turner Bequest CCLIX 150).

Other views taken from the Pallien hillsides in this sketchbook include Tate D28246, D28255–D28257, D28259–D28260; Turner Bequest CCLXXXVIII 43a, 49a–50a, 51a–52. See also the Trèves and Rhine sketchbook of 1824 (Tate D20150; Turner Bequest CCXVIII 12).