Joseph Mallord William TurnerClassical Rotunda near Isleworth 1805

This was a right-hand page from the sketchbook. Finberg’s suggested subject is James Wyatt’s eye-catcher for Fawley Court, on Temple Island near Henley, which Turner did indeed draw in this sketchbook (see Tate D05912; Turner Bequest XCV 8). However, Hill’s identification is followed here as preferable. The rotunda, which must be inspired by or a variant of Robert Mylne’s (1803) pavilion at Syon, is also present in various sketches in the Studies for Pictures: Isleworth sketchbook; for discussion see Tate D05494; Turner Bequest XC 3, and for a view closest to the present sketch, Tate D05495; Turner Bequest XC 4. Mylne’s rotunda stood close to Turner’s Sion (or Syon) Ferry House, and Turner made four or five other views of Isleworth in this sketchbook; Tate D05952, D05916, D05949, D05953 and perhaps D05937; Turner Bequest XCV 48, 12, 45, 49 and ?33.

There are traces of watercolour on the left which would have run across the gutter of the sketchbook from an adjacent subject.

Verso:

Blank save for splashes of grey and brown watercolour.