FAMAG 2006.10.3.4
Turner, Joseph Mallord William RA (1775-1851): Launceston, Cornwall, engraver: Varrall, John Charles, publisher: Heath, Charles and Jennings, Robert , dated 1827, Line engraving, R216, Image Size: 169 x 238mm, Plate mark size: 238 x 316mm, Sheet size: 443 x 587mm.
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Picturesque Views in England and Wales 1825 -1838
The hilltop walled town of Launceston is shown here in a landscape of almost alpine proportions. A wooded avenue-like path leading towards it opens out onto a hazy river valley beneath. By strategically placing a black-coated rider in the foreground the artist accentuates both scale and distance. His solitary presence gazing towards the ruined Norman castle and fourteenth-century tower of St Mary?s church imbues the scene with a sense of mystery and romance. And as with all Turner?s exhibited and illustrative work there is either a subtext or backstory to contextualise its treatment.
In this case that the dark tonality and shape of the castle?s keep against its light surround repeats the silhouette of the horseman?s hat is not fortuitous. During the Civil War and Protectorate Launceston Castle was used as a prison, its most well-known captive being the Quaker George Fox, founder of the Society of Friends. Travelling around the country propagating his ?seditious? beliefs he and his followers outraged the authorities by an unwillingness to take legally binding oaths or treat magistrates with due deference. In particular an outright refusal to remove their hats in court. In 1656 Fox was eventually brought before the Lord Chief Justice of England at Launceston Assizes where instead of taking off his headgear he began a long biblical argument with the judge. For this effrontery he received nine months incarceration in the castle?s infamous excremental ?Doomsgate? dungeon without either bed or sanitation.
The emphasis Turner gave to the forlorn figure and his Quaker hat as he approaches the town is obviously allusory. The artist knew several prominent members of ?The Society? including the brothers Granville and John Penn grandsons of William, the Quaker founder of Pennsylvania. It was from there that lapsed Quaker Benjamin West had come to London and risen to the Royal Academy?s presidency at the time Turner was granted full academician status. In addition throughout the production period of the England and Wales series the artist was in close contact with Quaker minister and engraver William Miller who produced seven of its engravings. And if Turner?s total dedication to his art precluded political activism he would certainly have identified with Fox?s struggle for freedom of belief.
The original for this work is in a private Collection in Iran