Feature Turner Trails
The Turner Trails in Yorkshire: following in the footsteps of artist JMW Turner
Feature: Turner Trails
One of the most celebrated British artists, JMW Turner, could be said to have had a “reet” passion for Yorkshire: he compellingly captured loads of our finest beauty spots in watercolour during the time he spent here in those bygone days of the 18th and 19th century.
Joseph Mallord William Turner (to give him his full name in all its glory) first came north at the age of 22, in 1797. He liked what he saw and returned to Yorkshire time and again over the next 30 years, “inspired by the spirituality he found in its glorious landscapes”.
Turner’s connection to the region is now being celebrated with the start of the Turner Trails – a series of walks that follows in the artist’s footsteps – focusing on the unexpectedly picturesque spots where he sat with his easel and brushes, painting the natural beauty in front of his eyes.
The Trails celebrate 70 of the spots that Turner captured in his unique style – including Bolton Abbey, Malham Cove, Wakefield Bridge and Kirkstall Abbey (pictured). A website introduces the Turner Trails in a virtual form, while benches at the real views will face Turner’s way, looking out at the landscapes as he saw them. There will also be information boards in these spots, explaining Turner’s perspective and inspirations.
Turner was chosen for the first of a planned series of artists’ trails because his work includes studies made in industrial Rotherham and inner-city Beeston, the Leeds area now known for its links with the 2005 London bombings.
The list of locations was made with the help of the Turner scholar David Hill, professor of art at the University of Leeds. Hill said Yorkshire had a claim to be Turner’s favourite landscape, with repeated visits being made alongside his travels on the continent. “The trail will help to put Yorkshire ever more firmly on the art world’s map,” he said at the launch of a £50,000 initiative.
David Hockney, Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth are high on the list for trails in the future.
Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds
Turner visited Kirkstall Abbey on his first tour to Yorkshire in 1797. Kirkstall was an important site to Turner and he came back at least twice and made several sketches and at least four other watercolours of the magnificent building.
Turner’s Viewpoint: Turner made several architectural studies at Kirkstall but was eventually drawn to a more distant view from the riverside in which he could relate the abbey to its surroundings and develop a sense of weather and time.
Beeston Hill, Leeds
The view from Beeston Hill was already established as one of the finest viewpoints in Leeds when Turner visited. He was, however, the first to be interested in the new industrial landscape that had grown up during the time he’d got to know the city.
Turner’s Viewpoint: Turner’s viewpoint can still be found today, just below the modern working-men’s club. Many of the landmarks can be visited across Leeds, including the renovated Marshall’s Mill in Holbeck Urban Village, just south of Leeds railway station.
Chantry Chapel, Wakefield
Turner visited Wakefield on his first tour of Yorkshire in 1797. Wakefield was then one of the wealthiest towns in the region and had some of the best architecture of that period.
Turner’s Viewpoint: Turner found a view on the south bank of the River Calder from where he could take in the medieval bridge and Chantry Chapel, with the town and spire of All Saints (now Wakefield Cathedral) beyond.
Posted on Monday 2nd August 2010
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