Berry Pomeroy Castle (Liber Studiorum, part XII, plate 58) 1816

This is Joseph Mallord William Turner’s, Berry Pomeroy Castle, made as part of his “Liber Studiorum” series, sometime before 1851. Turner was working in a period when the aesthetic category of the sublime captivated artists and audiences alike. Here, Turner uses sepia ink to depict Berry Pomeroy Castle in Devon, England. The castle, a ruin, is presented amidst a landscape that feels both romantic and melancholic. Turner was invested in landscape painting as a way to explore historical and cultural narratives. By presenting the castle as a ruin, Turner is reflecting on the passage of time and the transience of human endeavor. This resonates with broader themes of the Romantic era, such as the power of nature, and the emotional experience of encountering the past. Consider how the brown monochrome lends an air of nostalgia, emphasizing the emotional weight of history and memory. This work invites a contemplation of the relationship between nature, history, and human emotion.