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JMW Turner and Norham Castle

This month I’ve had the opportunity to travel again; this time to my Northumbrian homeland. It’s reminded me of one of Turner’s most celebrated subjects that he painted many times; each one different: Norham castle, situated high above the River Tweed overlooking the border with Scotland.

 He first made this on-the-spot postcard-sized watercolour from the village during his first visit in 1797 at age 22: c1797 Norham Village and Castle Pencil and watercolour on paper 79 x 121 mm Turner Bequest CCCLXXIX-1

c1797 Norham Village and Castle Pencil and watercolour on paper 79 x 121 mm Turner Bequest CCCLXXIX-1

He loved fishing, so in painting his next view from the banks of the Tweed in about 1822-23, he was probably recalling the wonderful salmon fishing as well as the imposing castle: c1822-23 Norham Castle, on the River Tweed watercolour on paper 156 x 216 mm Turner Bequest CCVIII-O

c1822-23 Norham Castle, on the River Tweed watercolour on paper 156 x 216 mm Turner Bequest CCVIII-O

Towards the end of his life, he recalled this same view, but now as a large oil painting with a spectacular yellow sunrise behind the castle, imprinting an indelible impression of the scene on our own memories, and paving the way to Impressionism.c1845 Norham Castle, Sunrise oil on canvas 908 x 1219 mm Turner Bequest N01981

c1845 Norham Castle, Sunrise oil on canvas 908 x 1219 mm Turner Bequest N01981

Here I’m viewing the remains of the fortified main tower of the castle, where you’ll see that the characteristic shape at the top remains just as it was in Turner’s day:Prue Bishop Views Norham Castle on 25th September 2024 - Image © John Lumby 20240925-8350 +1

Prue Bishop Views Norham Castle on 25th September 2024 - Image © John Lumby 20240925-8350 +1

Prue Bishop October 23, 2024
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