About this artwork

Turner’s painting shows Somer Hill House near Tonbridge in Kent, and was presumably painted for the owner of the house, Mr W. F. Woodgate. The painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1811, and is effectively a ‘portrait’ of the estate. Turner constricted his composition so as to lead the viewer through the landscape to discover the house. Even Turner's handling of the sky contributes to this tunnel-like composition. A careful pencil study for the painting appears in a sketchbook used by Turner in the spring of 1810 when he also visited the nearby Rosehill (now Brightling) Park in Sussex. The sketchbook he used is in the Tate Gallery.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
  • title:
    Somer Hill, Tonbridge
  • date created:
    1811
  • materials:
    Oil on canvas
  • measurements:
    92.00 x 122.00 cm (framed: 129.80 x 160.30 x 16.00 cm)
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Purchased with the aid of the Cowan Smith Bequest Fund 1922
  • accession number:
    NG 1614
  • gallery:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Tell us what you think.

Joseph Mallord William Turner

Joseph Mallord William Turner