Whalley Abbey

Turner was commissioned to make several watercolours of Whalley in Lancashire for Thomas Dunham Whitaker’s 'History of the Parish of Whalley' around 1799. Whalley abbey had been a Cistercian monastery until it was closed in 1537. It was in ruins when Turner visited in 1799.This watercolour was in keeping with the fashion for ‘picturesque’ views. This term described real landscapes that looked ‘like a picture’ and often included ruins that were thought to enhance the scene’s beauty.