Joseph Mallord William Turner, R.A. (1775-1851) and Thomas Girtin (1775-1802) after John Robert Cozens
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Joseph Mallord William Turner, R.A. (1775-1851) and Thomas Girtin (1775-1802) after John Robert Cozens

River landscape; and Sunlight on a river valley

Details
Joseph Mallord William Turner, R.A. (1775-1851) and Thomas Girtin (1775-1802) after John Robert Cozens
River landscape; and Sunlight on a river valley
the first with inscription 'Lesser Vale of Overhazley [sic]' (on the reverse), the second with inscription 'Near Unterseven [sic]' and 'Canton of Bern' (on the reverse)
pencil and watercolour
9½ x 14 5/8 in. (24.1 x 37.1 cm.); and a watercolour of Sunlight on a river valley, Monro School, circa 1795 (2)
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Lot Essay

The first watercolour is an example of Turner and Girtin working together, after a composition by John Robert Cozens of Interlaken or Unterseen, Yale Centre for British Art (see A. Wilton, The Art of John Robert Cozens, New Haven, 1980, p. 40, no. 89, pl. 35). Here we see Girtin's pencil work with his finely accented drawing with wash applied by Turner, creating a remarkably luminous effect. The drawing dates from circa 1795-6. This drawing was executed at a time when Turner and Girtin met at the drawing academy of Dr Monro, of whom Cozens was a patient, they also received tuition from John Henderson, who introduced the two young artists to the drawings of Canaletto. Joseph Farington, also associated with the academy wrote in his Diary of 11 November 1798: 'Girtin drew the outlines and Turner washed in the effects'. There were a number of other young artists who frequented Dr Monro's house such as John Sell Cotman, William Henry Hunt and John Laporte.

In the second watercolour, Sunlight on a river valley, the pencil work would appear to be by Girtin, however the wash does not appear to have been applied by Turner.

We are grateful to Andrew Wilton for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.

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