[CHAPTER XIX]
1812: AGED THIRTY-SEVEN
HE EXHIBITS 'HANNIBAL CROSSING THE ALPS,' SUGGESTED BY A SNOWSTORM HE HAD SEEN AT FARNLEY
In one of the Sketch-Books for this year labelled 'Sandycombe and Yorkshire' are the following, on the same page, in Turner's handwriting. We can imagine the reasons why he composed the tortuous passage on Salvator's 'powers of rapidity.' Did he, I wonder, buy the mattress?
'Salvator Rosa painted a picture for the Constable of France in a day, and carried it home, which rapidity so captivated the Constable that he ordered another large one, which he likewise began, finished and sent home, that (?) well paid for by purses of gold and as Constable commented which would be first weary, but upon the production of the fifth the employer sent two purses and declined rivalship with the artist's powers of rapidity.
| Candles | 1 |
| Trout | 2 |
| Pillow | 16 |
| Mattress | 1. 11. 6. |
The next Sketch-Book is short, and devoted to Farnley. The idea of the 'Snowstorm, Hannibal and His Army Crossing the Alps,' came to Turner through a storm he saw at Farnley.