This luminous view of Lake Constance is one of ten finished watercolours of Swiss subjects taken from drawings executed on Turner's continental tour in 1841.
The present watercolour was commissioned by Ruskin, Turner's greatest champion, from a 'sample' study which is now in the Turner Bequest at the British Museum. With the ethereal blues of the water and sky and the luminosity of the entire scene, it is one of the most beautiful of Turner's late watercolours.
Provenance
John Ruskin; J. Irvine Smith, 1900; R.E.Tatham, 1903; Christie's 1908; bt Agnew & sold to Sir Joseph Beecham; his sale Christie's 1917; bought by Agnew on behalf of Sir Jeremiah Coleman Bt; by descent to present owner.