Richmond Castle

Description

• Title: Richmond Castle
• Medium: Oil
• Substrate: 12 oz cotton canvas
• Size: 81cm x 81cm
• Style: contemporary
• Frame: Yes
• Prints available: Yes

After making a Documentary film about JMW Turner with a German production company in 2019 I was approached again in 2020; this time by a French production company to make another film about Turner in the North for European Arte. This time we focussed on his Yorkshire work and we spent a good deal of time filming at Fountains Abbey and Richmond where Turner painted in 1797. ‘Richmond Castle’ is my response to this stunning and powerful location and forms part of the Turner Project.

I also made a number of sketches in pencil and watercolour for the film; working quickly en plein air trying to capture the sense of place with immediacy and vibrancy.

After and original oil painting by David Stead, this beautiful limited edition print is on deep profile, archival quality canvas. The print is limited to an edition of only 150 and comes with a certificate of authentication.

J.M.W. Turner and His Visit to Richmond Castle, Yorkshire

Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775–1851) is widely regarded as one of Britain’s greatest landscape painters and a pioneer of Romanticism in art. His innovative use of light, color, and atmospheric effects earned him the title “the painter of light.” Throughout his prolific career, Turner traveled extensively across Britain and Europe, sketching natural landscapes, historic ruins, and picturesque towns. Among the numerous places that inspired his work was Richmond Castle in North Yorkshire.

Built in the 11th century by Alan Rufus, a companion of William the Conqueror, Richmond Castle is one of the oldest stone-built fortifications in England. Perched on a dramatic bluff overlooking the River Swale, the castle offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, which includes rolling hills, lush valleys, and the picturesque market town of Richmond. It’s little wonder that the site caught the attention of Turner, whose artistic genius often thrived when capturing both historical architecture and sweeping natural scenery.

Turner visited Richmond Castle during one of his many tours of Yorkshire in the early 19th century. His travels through the region were part of his quest to document England’s historical and natural landmarks, which formed the basis of many paintings, watercolors, and engravings. Turner had a keen eye for ruins, often viewing them not just as remnants of the past but as symbols of nature’s reclamation over human endeavors. The castle’s weathered stone walls and commanding position overlooking the river would have provided him with the perfect subject for his Romantic sensibilities.

Using pencil and watercolor, Turner captured several sketches and studies of Richmond Castle and its surrounding landscape. These works reveal his fascination with the interplay between architecture and nature. One of his most notable depictions of the site, now housed in the collection of the Tate Britain, shows the castle bathed in soft light, framed by lush vegetation and with the River Swale flowing below. The scene is both idyllic and dramatic, characteristic of Turner’s ability to imbue even static subjects with a sense of motion and life.

Turner’s depiction of Richmond Castle not only highlighted the beauty of the site but also reflected his broader interest in England’s cultural heritage. At a time when industrialization was rapidly transforming the British landscape, Turner’s works served as poignant reminders of the enduring connection between history and the natural world. His portrayal of ruins like Richmond Castle invites viewers to reflect on the passage of time and the transient nature of human achievements.

Beyond its artistic significance, Turner’s visit to Richmond Castle played a role in popularizing the site as a destination for travelers and artists alike. His works contributed to a growing appreciation of Yorkshire’s picturesque landscapes, which became a favorite subject for painters of the Romantic era.

In the years following Turner’s visit, Richmond Castle continued to inspire artists and historians, and it remains a cherished landmark in North Yorkshire to this day. Turner’s legacy as a visionary artist who captured the spirit of places like Richmond Castle lives on, inviting audiences to appreciate both the grandeur of historical architecture and the sublime beauty of nature.