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

With the page turned horizontally, the ruins of Burg Drachenfels are seen on the hill of the same name, looking north up the River Rhine about eight miles south of Bonn. There are two similar sketches in the present book, and the juxtaposition of various landmarks suggest that this was the third as Turner travelled downstream, following those on folios 23 verso and 45 verso, looking in the same direction (D32587, D32629; CCCXXII 24a, 46a), and then upstream, on folio 38 verso opposite (D32615; CCCXXII 39a).

The most conspicuous difference today, apart from the woods covering all but the steepest slopes, is the presence of the extravagant Gothic Revival Schloss Drachenfels on the lower skyline towards the left; the spire of St Remigius’s Church in Königswinter is seen near the riverbank. Turner’s scrawled inscription above it, albeit very unclear, is perhaps an attempt at the town’s name. For other Drachenfels views in this book and elsewhere, see under folio 16 verso (D32573; CCCXXII 17a), where it is seen together with nearby Burg Rolandseck and Nonnenwerth; for those from this direction in particular, see under D32587.

Both Rolandseck and Nonnenwerth are likely shown on folio 38 verso opposite (D32615; CCCXXII 39a), as they are on the pages opposite D32587 and D32629. As set out in its Introduction, this sketchbook covers Turner’s homeward route from Augsburg north-westwards to Rotterdam (see under folios 1 verso and 14 recto respectively; D32543, D32568; CCCXXII 2a, 15). Travelling back down the familiar river, he worked in somewhat randomly from both ends, interspersing identifiable subjects with less distinctive renderings of towns, castles and the landscape.