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

From a bay by Coir nan Uriskin at the northern foot of Ben Venue on the southern shore of Loch Katrine is a view across the loch with Ellen’s Island (Eilean Molach) and the Am Priosan promontory and Ben A’an beyond at the north shore. There are similar views on folios 42 verso–44 verso (D26519–D26525). For further information about Turner’s visit to and sketches of Loch Katrine see folio 47 (D26528).

With the sketchbook inverted, drawn parallel with the page gutter (now the bottom of the page) is a sketch of Aros Castle as seen from the Sound of Mull to the south-east. This sketch is associated with five studies of the castle on folio 42 verso (D26519). There is also a view of the castle on folio 47 verso (D26529).

At the head of the page (when the book is held in the conventional manner) is a small boxed-off sketch with an inscription that has been read as ‘Colonsay’.1 It is possible that this is a view towards the Island of Colonsay, which lies near Islay and Mull, perhaps with the Paps of Jura in the distance at the right. In this case the sketch was made after Turner had travelled up the Sound of Mull on his way to Skye. However, the inscription is not certain and could refer to another location.