Cooke made numerous trips throughout Europe and North Africa. In 1860, in company with Robert Bateman, he undertook a journey around Spain towards Tangier. A new, more luminous quality began to pervade the colours in his work. The light of the Mediterranean can be seen even in his pencil sketches, which show clarity and the sense of exoticism that Spain awakened in European travellers.

After staying in Valencia, they continued on their route along the east coast of Spain, arriving in Cartagena, where they collected their mail at the Consul’s house, and where the sick Cooke was tended by Dr Dailgarms. The doctor also introduced them to his family and found them lodgings and a studio where Cooke could work.

In this picture, a panoramic view of the city from the sea, various distinctive buildings Cartagena can be seen: the Castle of the Conception, the Church of Santa María de Gracia to the left, and in the distance one of the windmills located in the countryside around Cartagena. Complementing these in the harbour in the foreground is a variety of Mediterranean fishing and other vessels.

The Castle of the Conception, which forms the focal point of Cooke’s drawing, dates originally from Hispano-Muslim times, although the present castle was first built in the 14th century during the reign of Henry III. Roman building remnants, such as pilasters, columns and stone tablets, were used in its construction, some of which are still visible, as well as a few inscriptions.

The first evidence of the building of windmills in the countryside surrounding Cartagena dates fron the 15th century. Initially, the mills in Cartagena had blades, but for centuries they have been characterized by sails, evoking the triangular sails of traditional sailing ships, such as those shown in the foreground of the drawing.