J.M.W. Turner: Sketchbooks, Drawings and Watercolours

Inverted in relation to the sketchbook as foliated, the drawing that fills the lower left-hand side of this page depicts a harbour scene. Coastal hills are glimpsed in the distance while a cluster of small quayside buildings appear beyond ships’ masts. The focus of the scene is upon a substantial gate or archway beyond the water. Two cursory drawings of classical arches are included on the right-hand side of the page. As outlined in the Introduction to the sketchbook, Turner recorded views of several substantial ports in the English Channel in this volume, including Le Havre in Normandy, St Peter Port in Guernsey, and Southampton in Hampshire.