Joseph Mallord William Turner

Drawn with the page inverted, this sketch of the Bass Rock belongs to a series of four all very similar studies made in succession in this sketchbook (folios 11 verso, 12 and 13; D13342, D13343 and D13345; CLXV 11a, 12 and 13). They show the Bass Rock from the coast to the west and are all made with a rough outline. Variations in the shape of the rock over the four drawings suggest that Turner was either looking at the subject from slightly different viewpoints, or struggling to capture its shape as he saw it. A scribble to the left of the rock, may indicate clouds as in folios 11 verso and 35 (D13383; CLXV 35).