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Joseph Mallord William Turner , English, 1775-1851

Title

Bellinzona, Switzerland, with the Fortresses of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden

Date1842

MediumWatercolour, graphite, gouache and white highlights with scraping out on off-white paper

Dimensions

22.7 x 28.5 cm

Credit LineBequeathed, Henry Vaughan, 1900

Object numberNGI.2420

DescriptionBellinzona made a strong impression on Turner, evident in the numerous sketches and colour studies he made form different orientations and viewpoints. A recently discovered incription on the verso of this drawing: 'Bellinzona/ No. 5', indicates that it is one of the so-called 'sample' colour sketches Turner produced in 1842-43. These sketches were shown to potential patrons to entice them to commission a finished watercolour.

Inscription(on verso): Bellinzona/ No. 5
(on verso, lower right): ?408
Watermark: J WHATMAN/ T M LL
Exhibition HistoryTurner in January | Ireland's Vaughan Bequest, National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh, 01 January 2025 - 31 January 2025