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

This is a study of Arundel Castle, the ancient estate of the Dukes of Norfolk constructed in 1068 (see Tate D18418; Turner Bequest CCX 63). Turner has rendered the castle in detail, leaving the Motte cursorily described. The artist has inscribed a few notes at top left, so diminutive in size that only a few of the words are legible: ‘[?Mot]’ (presumably signifying ‘motte’), ‘[?Rus]’ (possibly ‘rustication’ of the masonry) and ‘[?arrow]’ (arrow loops). This sketch is associated with Turner’s watercolour designs for W.B. Cooke’s Rivers of England: Arundel Castle on the River Arun, with a Rainbow (Tate D18139; Turner Bequest CCVIII F) and Arundel Castle on the River Arun (Tate D18140; Turner Bequest CCVIII G). 1

For other sketches of Arundel Castle in this book see Tate D18419–D18461; Turner Bequest CCX 63–84a. See also Tate D22819–D22820, D22847–D22848, D22881–D22884, D22887, D22900–D22901, D22936, D23002–D23010; Turner Bequest CCXLV 21a–22, 38a–39, 60a–62, 63a, 70a–71, CCXLVI 22, 86a–91.