Joseph Mallord William Turner

View of Edinburgh from Calton Hill with the North Bridge and Castle in the Distance

About this artwork

At the left of this composition is Edinburgh Castle and before it the North Bridge. This drawing dates form Turner’s first visit to Edinburgh in 1801 and is typical of his numerous outdoor sketches; rapidly worked, it records the basic structure of the topography. Such studies were used throughout his career as the basis for finished watercolours and oils. The sketch was probably employed in the preparation of a watercolour of the same subject which was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1804 (Tate).

Updated before 2020

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Joseph Mallord William Turner

Joseph Mallord William Turner