Joseph Mallord William Turner R.A.

John Ruskin (1819-1900);
possibly his sale, London, Christie's, 15 April 1869, lot 5;
with P. & D. Colnaghi, London;
Bernard Buchanan MacGeorge, Glasgow (1845-1924);
thence by descent to J.B. MacGeorge;
with Agnew's, London;
with the Fine Art Society, London, by 1959, by whom sold to Walter Brandt

Suffolk, Ickworth House, Exhibition of English Water-colours of the Great Period, May-June 1968, no. 75

A. Wilton, The Life and Work of J.M.W. Turner, London 1979, p. 481, no. 1509

Support This watercolour has been fully laid down onto a modern mount. The sheet is slightly time stained as it has been exposed to light, but in an overall good condition. Medium The watercolour medium has been faded by the same agent, light. Note: This work was viewed outside studio conditions. Condition Report by Jane McAusland (Fellow of the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works)
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This ephemeral and dreamlike watercolour is characteristic of Turner's late works where subject matter and topographical precision are abandoned in favour of the impression and essence of a particular landscape. All inessential details are removed in favour of pure light and colour applied with fluid spontaneity. In this rare example Turner merely hints at the presence of a castle above a river along which a town appears to nestle.

Andrew Wilton has suggested the sheet may depict either the villages of Sion or Bellinzona in Switzerland. However, it has also been pointed out that this work is very comparable in terms of subject matter and size to a beautiful and translucent watercolour of Ehrenbreitstein sold in these Rooms in July 2009.¹ 

We are grateful to Cecilia Powell and Peter Bower for their assistance in cataloguing this lot.

1. A. Wilton, op.cit, London 1979, p. 461, no. 1340