Turner was profoundly inspired by the wild beauty and grandeur of the Alpine scenery. He first visited in 1802 and returned to the Alps in 1836 on an extended tour with the Scottish landowner Hugh Munro of Novar (1797–1864), his friend and patron. This watercolour depicts the view east from the village of Chambave, looking down the Aosta valley in the Italian Alps from the bridge over the Dora Baltea river. The sun has broken through the looming clouds to light up the castle of Ussel in the distance.