Buckfastleigh Abbey, Devonshire

J.M.W. Turner is one of the most significant figures in British art, and so when this sublime watercolour of Buckfastleigh Abbey became available for purchase in 1979, RAMM was keen to secure it for a public collection.

Turner first visited Devon and Cornwall in 1811. He returned in August 1814. Armed with a sketchbook and pencil he recorded the view of the Dart Valley with the river, wooded hills and abbey buildings. About 12 years later he produced this watercolour sketch which brought detail and atmosphere to the scene: a plume of smoke rising from the valley floor and boys pilfering birds’ eggs in the foreground.

Object Summary

Accession Loan No.
352/1979
Category
Fine Art
Collection Class
Drawings
Medium
watercolor on paper
Common Name
Buckfastleigh Abbey, Devonshire
Simple Name
drawing
Inscription Transcription
Buckfastleigh Abbey, Devon by JMW Turner lent by Arthur Severn Herne Hill; 135 Buckfastleigh Abbey JMW Turner engraved by R Wallis 1828; Agnew’s Galleries London 1951 Artist JMW Turner Title Buckfastleigh Abbey Owner Vice Admiral Sir William G Agnew no in Exhibition 73
Period Classification
George IV (1820-1830)
Production Town

Production Country
United Kingdom: England
Production Date
c 1826
Production Person Initials
J M W
Production Person Surname
Turner
Production Year Low
1825
Production Year High
1827

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Buckfastleigh Abbey, Devonshire