Joseph Mallord William Turner

Here Turner shows a view on the Rhine as it flows away from Koblenz towards the Schloss Stolzenfels near Lahnstein (see Tate D20158; Turner Bequest CCXVIII 20). The sun shines bright on the rocks at left, rendered with luminous tones of gold, burnt umber, straw and pure white. By contrast, the glassy Rhine is still and cold, plunged in shadow and the sky above streaked with rumbling slate-grey cloud.

Turner has inscribed ‘Fete de [...]’ at the top right of the picture. This is the French for ‘Celebration of’ and probably refers to a public or religious holiday; in this context it seems to be an incidental note, a reminder of some sort, perhaps even relating to celebrations in the village depicted.

Verso:

Inscribed ‘CCXVIII–2’ top centre (inverted relative to foliation).