Rispah, 2nd Book of Samuel, Chapter 21 (Liber Studiorum, part IX, plate 46)

Art Historical Context

This evocative print, *Rispah*, belongs to J.M.W. Turner’s ambitious *Liber Studiorum* series (1807–1819), a collection of-one etchings and mezzotints to showcase the breadth of landscape art. Published on April 23, 2, as part IX plate 46, the work draws from the biblical account in 2 Samuel 21, depicting the devoted figure of Rizpah guarding the bodies of her sons. Turner, who etched the outlines, collaborated with engraver Robert Dunkarton on the mezzotint, a technique prized for its rich tonal depths and velvety blacks. The first state of four reveals a dramatic nocturnal scene, with moonlight illuminating twisted trees and human forms against a somber sky. This combination of etching and mezzotint allowed Turner to blend precise line work with atmospheric effects, heightening the emotional intensity of the biblical narrative within a natural setting. As part of the *Liber Studiorum*’s “Historical” category, the print demonstrates Turner’s desire to elevate landscape by intertwining it with moral and literary themes. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of Drawings and Prints, this intimate sheet (roughly 7 by 10 inches) invites viewers to appreciate both the technical mastery of early nineteenth-century printmaking and Turner’s poetic vision of human endurance amid nature’s vastness.

About the Artist

Joseph Mallord William Turner|Robert Dunkarton|Joseph Mallord William Turner · 1775–1851

Joseph Mallord William Turner, born on 23 April 1775 in London's Covent Garden to barber William Turner and Mary Marshall, emerged as a child prodigy amid personal hardships. His mother suffered mental illness and died in Bethlem Hospital in 1804, while his father supported his early sketches by displaying them in his shop. Around age 10, Turner stayed with his uncle Joseph Mallord William Marshal...