The Fort of L'Esseillon, Val de la Maurienne, France

Another masterful work by landscape artist Joseph Turner, depicting a view of the L'Esseillon Fortress, located in the Maurienne Valley in the French Alps. The fortress served as protection for the strategic route to Italy. It is believed that the artist based this work on an engraving from the book by his friend William Brockedon.

In this piece, the artist uses his signature pastel tones, selective detailing, and smooth lines. Watercolor allows the painting to feel airy, light, and almost weightless. In this way, the artist achieves a sense of atmospheric depth and unites natural and architectural elements into a single whole.