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

This is part of a two-page sketch, continuing to the left on folio 79 recto opposite (D12419); Turner’s main focus is Prudhoe Castle, seen to the south-west on the opposite page. The viewpoint is the north bank of the River Tyne near the Hermitage on the road between Wylam and Ovingham. In the present half, the hills up the Tyne beyond Prudhoe appear on the left, while the square tower of St Mary’s Church, Ovingham is shaded towards the right-hand edge. Road and foot bridges to Prudhoe now cross from just below the church, and whole length of the river bank is wooded.

There are other views of the castle from across the Tyne on folios 77 verso–78 recto, 79 verso–80 recto and 80 verso–81 recto (D12416, D12417, D12420–D12423), and from close up on folios 89 verso, 90 verso, 91 verso, 92 verso and 93 verso (D12440, D12442, D12444, D12446, D12448). For the history of the building and Turner’s later watercolour, see the entry for D12417.