Circle of Joseph Mallord William Turner, R.A.

Estimate

3,000 - 5,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Joseph Mallord William Turner, R.A.
An Alpine Landscape
Watercolour over pencil, heightened with scratching out;
inscribed on an old label attached to the backboard: J.M.W. Turner RA. / 29 Scene in Switzerland (early style)
580 by 42 mm

Provenance

Sir Donald Currie (1825-1909);
by family descent to the present owners

Literature

W. Armstrong, Turner, London 1902, p. 239 (as Alps by Moonlight, circa 1797 by J.M.W. Turner)

Catalogue Note

Stylistically this watercolour dates to circa 1800. Its large-scale, dramatic subject matter and bold technique has made a firm attribution difficult to establish. The mountain scenery and palette are reminiscent of John Robert Cozens’ alpine watercolours which proved to be such an influence on Girtin, Turner and the other young artists of Dr Thomas Monro’s Academy.

Interestingly, when Sir Walter Armstrong catalogued this work in 1902 he fully ascribed it to Turner.¹ Furthermore, this watercolour was once owned by Sir Donald Currie (1825-1909), whose collection of works by Turner and his contemporaries is considered to be amongst the most significant of the late nineteenth century. This work has remained by descent in Sir Donald’s family to the present day.

1. Armstrong, op.cit, p. 239