Joseph Mallord William Turner

The two rapidly executed sketches on this page, probably made on the move from the deck of a boat, are inscribed ‘E’ and ‘W’, presumably indicating that these are views to the east and west. The scene depicted is a harbour with the masts of boats and buildings in the background. This sketch, along with several other rapidly executed sketches in this book (see folio 55 verso; D27118 for details) was probably made during Turner’s sea voyage from Aberdeen to Edinburgh, so either of these cities could be depicted. Another possibility is Stonehaven, as the jagged shape at the left of the top sketch may represent the rocky cliffs to the south of the harbour, as seen on folio 61 verso (D27125).

The lines running down the page are the continuation of a sketch on folio 73 verso (D27138).

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