The towns of Neuwied and Weissenthurm are on opposite banks of the River Rhine, north of Koblenz in Germany. Weissenthurm is named after the town’s White Tower, shown in shadow on the left. Turner first visited Europe in 1802, but war between Britain and France prevented him from returning for fifteen years. In 1817 he travelled along the banks of the Rhine on foot, filling four sketchbooks. This watercolour was developed from earlier drawings and was produced for engraving. Turner took great care over details such as the hunter with his spaniel and the birds