Joseph Mallord William Turner

This fluent sketch can be seen as belonging to the series of rapidly-observed marine subjects that features in the contemporary Studies for Pictures sketchbook (Tate D04104–D04116; Turner Bequest LXIX 90–101). It bears some relation to the subject matter of the painting Ships Bearing up for Anchorage (‘The Egremont Seapiece’; Tate T03868, displayed at Petworth House, West Sussex),1 exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1802.

Technical notes:

For further discussion of Turner’s label and the issue of this sketchbook’s covers, see the technical notes in the Introduction.

Verso:

Blank; inscribed by the Executors of the Turner Bequest, Henry Scott Trimmer, Charles Turner, Charles Lock Eastlake and John Prescott Knight in ink ‘N^o 171 | H S Trimmer C Turner’ and in pencil ‘C.L.E.’ and ‘JPK’ top left.