By Kind Permission of Lancaster University Library
By Kind Permission of Lancaster University Library
Engraved by Willmore after Turner. ( England and Wales. Rawlinson 226. Wilton 802.)
The original watercolour was at some time in Ruskin 's collection ( Works, 13.603). In the notes on the 1878 exhibition of works from his own collection by Turner, Ruskin discusses Turner's compositional use of the repetition of forms, 'but the sky is unusually careless'. He considered the distant valley to be 'an example of the painter's loveliest work at speed' ( Works, 13.443). In the 8th part of Proserpina he observed drily that 'the principal business' of burdock was 'clearly to grow leaves wherewith to adorn foregrounds', adding that if 'you will look at the engraving, in the England and Wales series, of Turner's Okehampton, you will see its use' ( Works, 25.303).
J.M.W. Turner 1775-1851
Okehampton, Devonshire c.1826
Watercolour, 28x40.6cm
Exhibitions: MBG 1833 (12)
Engraving:
Engraved by J.T. Willmore, 1828
Copper engraving, 16.7x23.8cm
Engraved for the England and Wales series
Provenance: Thomas Griffith; John Dillon; John Ruskin; James Orrock; sale Christie 4/6/1904 (44), bt. Agnew; C. Fairfax Murray; acquired by the gallery through the Felton Bequest, 1905
Further Comments: There is a pencil sketch in the 'Devonshire Rivers and Wharfedale, No. 3' sketchbook for this composition.
Collection: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia