JOSEPH MALLORD WILLIAM TURNER, R.A. | Battle Abbey, Sussex

Commissioned by John Fuller (1757-1834), Rosehill Park, Brightling,
by family descent until,
Sir Alexander Fuller-Acland-Hood, 1^st Baron St Audries (1853-1917),
his sale, London, Christie's, 4 April 1908, lot 90, bt. Agnew's, on behalf of the father-in-law of the present owner  

London, The International Exhibition, 1862;
Hastings, Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, Turner in 1066 Country, 1998, no. 9;
London, Royal Academy, Turner - The Great Watercolours, 2000/2001, no. 24;
The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (on loan 2004-2018)

Sir W. Armstrong, Turner, London 1902, p. 41;
A. Wilton, The Life and Work of J.M.W. Turner, Fribourg 1979, p.349, no. 435;
E. Shanes, Turner's England 1810-1838, London 1990, p. 25;
A. Loukes, Turner's Sussex, exhib. cat., Sussex, Petworth House, 2013, p. 6   Engraved:

by J.C. Stadler, privately printed for Four Large Coloured Views in Sussex, 1818

Laid down. The sheet has slightly discoloured. Light staining visible at the upper left margin. The sky has reminded well preserved. The more delicate pigments, particularly in the foreground, have dropped back with age. Sold framed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In this watercolour, which dates to 1810, Turner depicts a landscape of seminal importance in British history: the site of the battle of Hastings. In the middle distance, surrounded by beautiful Sussex countryside stands Battle Abbey, which was built upon the command of William the Conqueror, to celebrate his victory in 1066. In the foreground, positioned on a rural path, whose wayside is lined with foxgloves, yarrows and other wild flowers, two boys hurl rocks at a large snake. Much has been written about this celebrated watercolour and Turner’s subtle references to the events of 1066. The boys are seen to represent the English army, while the snake has been interpreted as not only the invading Norman forces, but also the deadly arrow that pierced King Harold Godwinson’s right eye. Furthermore, Turner’s inclusion of the two rabbit holes, one of which is clearly the serpent’s destination, have been read as King Harold’s eyes, while the flat surface of the felled tree trunk to the right, would again appear to reference his famous death and the fall of the Anglo-Saxon world.

For further information on the history of this watercolour, please see lot 193.