Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851)

Joseph Mallord William Turner

The Chain of the Alps from Grenoble to Chambéri

British, 1812

Etching, with mezzotint by W. Say

186 x 288 mm

This plate appeared in the tenth part of the Liber Studiorum series, and is based on sketches made during Turner’s 1802 European tour.

He travelled specifically to see the Alps and this print belongs to the ‘Mountainous’ category, hence the letter ‘M’ inscribed above. Grenoble was the first point he reached in July of that year and the image captures the artist’s excitement on his first glimpse of the mountains. The aerial perspective reveals an extensive vista while the peasants looking directly out of the frame welcome the traveller into the scene. The friendly rural figures and the strong shafts of sunlight bathing the town create a romantic atmosphere of anticipation, in great contrast to the dominating Alpine landscape of ‘The Lake of Thun’ (Inv. No. 39.16).

Purchased 1939 (No. 39.13)

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