Joseph Mallord William Turner

A Diagram

c.1810–16

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Not on display

Artist: Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of: Vale of Heathfield Sketchbook
Medium: Graphite on paper
Dimensions: Support: 181 × 228 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference: D10208
Turner Bequest CXXXVII 2 a

Catalogue entry

The meaning of this diagram, which incorporates a circle, is unclear. However it seems to represent some kind of instrument, possibly part of a camera obscura. One was installed in John Fuller’s Observatory near Rosehill (now Brightling) Park, which Turner drew in this sketchbook (folios 37 verso–38; D10254–D10255; Turner Bequest CXXXVII 36a–37).

On the back cover (D41535) there is a slight sketch which may also be the beginning of a diagram, although it does not appear to be related to the present sketch.

Technical notes:

A small hole half-way down the left-hand edge seems to relate to a former means of fastening the front cover of the sketchbook (see under D40864).

David Blayney Brown
March 2011

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