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

There are four rapid studies running down the page, with the last inverted relative to the others. The first two show Castel Telvana, distinguished by one particularly tall tower, on the approach westwards along the Valsugana section of the Brenta Valley. The castle stands above Borgo Valsugana, between Primolano (see folios 13 verso–16 verso; D31622–D31628) and Levico Terme (see folio 20 recto; D31635). There are more studies of the castle on folio 19 recto opposite (D31633); see also folio 20 verso (D31636), where it is seen in the distance from the west. For the subject’s place within Turner’s overall homeward itinerary, see the sketchbook’s Introduction.

The third sketch, separated by a horizontal pencil line, appears to show the distinctive cluster of peaks outside the town on the south side of the valley, again seen from the east; the last may be a variant on this group, or show some of the similarly undulating mountains in the vicinity.