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St-Florent-le-Vieil, Northern France

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Date

ca. 1826–8

Description

Although they were probably produced around the same time, there could not be a greater contrast between the style of Turner's two views of St-Florent-le-Vieil. The more finished work was produced for the published series, for which it was engraved by the young engraver Robert Brandard. The other view looks much more spontaneous, almost as if Turner has attempted to paint the transforming action of light itself, as it begins to give shape and body to the towers on the hillside. Although it has sometimes been thought to be a study for the other work, its different viewpoint indicates Turner had some other purpose in mind in making it, and in leaving it so unresolved.
Gallery label, August 2004
Medium: Watercolour and gouache on paper
Credit line: 'Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856'

Image Licence

CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0 (Unported)

Image Credit

Location

Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Pays de la Loire, France

Country

France

Medium

Watercolour