painting (watercolour): ["Nottingham"]

Turner took up his original Nottingham drawing made in 1794 and completed it as a watercolour for inclusion in W J Cooke’s engraved series 'England and Wales,' 1833. Turner’s tour of the Midlands in 1794 had been primarily to make drawings that would later be engraved. Other drawings of the city from that year include three of Wollaton Hall. It has been suggested that Turner’s view of Nottingham alludes to the burning of the Castle by a mob angry at the defeat of the Reform Bill in 1831. Another idea is that one of the boats flies a Greek flag directly referencing the Greek war of independence (1821-1833) and with which another of Nottingham’s famous residents, Lord Byron is associated. (Cambridge, 2002, "Richard Parkes Bonington, young and romantic" p. 34) John Knowles; Knowles Sale, Christie’s 19 May 1877, Lot 100, bought in; Knowles Sale, Christie’s 5 June 1880, Lot 488, bought Agnew for Sir E M Scott; Scott Sale, Sotheby’s 19 June 1940, Lot 31, bought Mitchell; N Mitchell, from whom purchased 1940.