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

Recording the view of Kilnsey village in Wharfedale with, beyond, the profile of Kilnsey Crag, from the southern entrance to the village, this sketch is the culmination of three depicting the same aspect in the Yorkshire 2 sketchbook (Tate D11302, D11303, D11305; Turner Bequest CXLV 151a, 152a, 153). Turner drew Kilnsey from a rather greater distance in a double-page spread on folios 35 verso–36 recto of the present sketchbook (D11555–D11556; Turner Bequest CXLVIII 19a–20). The present writer dates Turner’s sketches at Kilnsey to Friday 28 July 1816.

In the present binding of the sketchbook, the sketches of Kilnsey separate views of Mossdale Fall in Wensleydale, which Turner visited some days after Kilnsey. A fairly comprehensive reordering of this part of the book appears to be required. For comments on the need for a better ordering of the contents see notes to folio 33 verso (D11576; Turner Bequest CXLVIII 31a).