J.M.W. Turner: Sketchbooks, Drawings and Watercolours

The page was used horizontally both ways up for two related views, neatly contrived so as to almost but not quite overlap. Finberg later annotated his 1909 Inventory entry (‘Town in valley, surrounded by mountains’): ‘2 sketches. 1 of Maretsch Castle & the Dolomites. 2. Torre Druso, Maretsch Castle & Rafenstein, Bolzano’.1

The second of these subjects, at the outer edge, shows Castel Mareccio (Schloss Maretsch) with its corner turrets and main tower near the east bank of the Torrente Talvera (Talferbach), north-west of the centre of Bolzano (Bozen). In the middle distance to the left is the cylindrical Torre Druso (Treuenstein) above the opposite bank, about level with the modest Castel Sant’Antonio (Schloss Klebenstein). Immediately above the latter, the ruins of Castel/Schloss Rafenstein are more conspicuous on the skyline of the Sarntal Alps to the north.

As noted under folio 1 verso (D31598), where other sketches in and around Bolzano scattered through the present book are discussed, Turner made several studies on grey paper up and down the valley when he returned in 1840; Tate D40178 (the verso of D36156; Turner Bequest CCCLXIV 299) shows a similar view without Castel Mareccio. Rafenstein is seen again in the far distance in one of the views on folio 47 recto (D31689), and in views from further up the Talvera on folio 48 verso (D31692).

Finberg’s ‘Maretsch Castle & the Dolomites’ identification of the view at the gutter is less certain. The central structure does not seem to relate directly to the castle as it now stands and has more the appearance of a gate-tower, perhaps formerly north-west or west of central Bolzano, where there has been much development, looking in the opposite direction from somewhere near the viewpoint of the other drawing. The ornate Gothic spire of the cathedral appears beyond to the right of the tower; compare the detail on folio 48 recto (D31691).