This picture of a river scene at harvest-time attracted little critical attention when it was exhibited in 1809. However, it was much admired by JS Cotman and David Cox, both of whom made swift pencil drawings of the painting while in the gallery.

 

The painting was derived from a sketch in which Turner experimented with the composition. Turner made no claims for it being a study from nature, but when it was exhibited in his gallery in 1835 it was praised for its 'true' effect. 'It does not need the man stooping to wash his face, to convey an idea of the sultry heat of a summer morn,' wrote the critic at the Spectator