Artwork
South view of Salisbury Cathedral from the Cloisters
South view of Salisbury Cathedral from the Cloisters is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanticist artist Joseph Mallord William Turner. It dates from 1802 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This 1802 watercolour, 'South view of Salisbury Cathedral from the Cloisters', is one of 20 commissioned views of Salisbury, England, by Sir Richard Colt Hoare, a patron and amateur artist.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Salisbury Cathedral's spire rising above the cloisters, with a young boy playing with a hoop, adding a touch of human interest to the scene.
Technique & Style
The watercolour's loose, luminous quality is achieved by allowing the paper to show through, creating a sense of light and atmosphere, while a splash of red colour draws the eye to a figure in the cloister.
History & Provenance
Commissioned by Sir Richard Colt Hoare, the work reflects Turner's training as a topographical artist, while also showcasing his tendency to introduce unconventional elements into his compositions.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joseph Mallord William Turner was born in 1775 at Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, where his father kept a barber and wig-making shop.
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Interior of Edmund's Chapel, Westminster Abbey
The East End of Edward the Confessor's Chapel and Tomb, As They Now Stand
Lincoln Cathedral, from the Cloisters
St. Mary's, Oxford
Louth Church, Lincolnshire
St. Margaret's, Westminster, and the abbey with old buildings in the foreground
Salisbury Cathedral from the Bishop's Grounds