Engraved in mezzotint by J. Bromley for The Rivers of England 1826 (Rawlinson 761). Studies of the Abbey from this angle, though from further down the river Aire, are in the 'Kirkstall' sketchbook of about 1808 (T.B.CVII-I and 2). Turner had been at Kirkstall subsequently; see the 'Kirkstall Lock' group of drawings of about 1816 (T.B.CLV) and further studies of 1824 in the 'Brighton and Arundel' sketchbook (T.B.CCX) in which f.48 bears a sketch followed fairly closely by this watercolour. Kirkstall Lock itself, with the Abbey in the background, is the subject of another of the Rivers of England designs (T.B.CCVIII-1).

The Rivers of England or River Scenery series was planned in about 1822 as a sequel in mezzotint to the Southern Coast published by W. B. Cooke. It was inspired by the development of mezzotinting on steel, and by Thomas Lupton's print in that medium after Girtin's 'White House, Chelsea' (No.B43). Four subjects after Girtin were used and William Collins, R.A. contributed one design. Rawlinson lists seventeen plates after Turner (Nos.752-768).