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

This sketch, drawn with the sketchbook inverted, is the last in a series of sketches of Bothwell Castle on the River Clyde in Lanarkshire. The sequence begins on folio 26 (D26309) with close-up views from various angles, and ends with a series of sketches made as Turner walked south away from the castle towards Bothwell Bridge. From the shape of the river in the foreground it is possible to tell that the present view was taken from a point about half a mile south of the castle where the river turns to the east. Several faint vertical lines at the left of the picture indicate trees, demonstrating that Turner saw the scene from between a screen of trees. This was therefore Turner’s last view of the castle before he lost sight of it. The fact that he continued to sketch the castle until it fell out of view indicates his great interest in the subject and his continued search for a successful composition.

For further information on Turner’s visit to Bothwell Castle and references to his sketches of it see folio 26.