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

Made with the page inverted relative to the sketchbook’s foliation, the main view is of Bridgnorth and the valley of the River Severn looking south-west from the eminence of High Rock, as inscribed by Turner (not ‘Higher Buxton’ as suggested by Finberg; for Buxton, Derbyshire, see under folio 56 recto; D22253). The drawing continues on folio 75 recto opposite (D22288; Turner Bequest CCXXXIX 74a), where the tower of St Leonard’s Church is seen. In the present half the bridge over the Severn is seen below the tower of St Mary Magdalene’s Church and the leaning ruins of Bridgnorth Castle. There is a similar view on folio 77 recto (D22291; Turner Bequest CCXXXIX 76).

Towards the outer edge, with the page turned vertically, Turner has drawn the view in the opposite direction, looking up the meandering Severn past Astley Abbotts on the left in the direction of modern-day Telford. The composition is repeated on a larger scale on the verso (D22290). For other views of Bridgnorth, see under folio 1 recto (D22151).