Joseph Mallord William Turner

The subjects from folio 3 recto (D10778) to here await positive identification, but the views of Southwark Bridge preceding them (see under folio 1 recto; D10775) and the subsequent sketch of Greenwich on folio 7 recto (D10783) suggest that they are all likely to be River Thames scenes around London. Here, with the page turned horizontally, there appear to be buildings indicated on the skyline at the centre, with reflections in the river in the foreground. Turner has annotated the cloudy sky with various colours, with ‘orange’ perhaps suggesting sunset, making this a view westwards. There are similar notes on folio 4 recto (D10779).

For Gerald Wilkinson’s comments on the style and dating of this and other pages in the sketchbook, see under folio 4 recto (D10779).