Joseph Mallord William Turner

A group of seven figures is seen here from behind and includes a soldier at the left, three male figures in peasant attire, two women in distinctive Normandy hats and a child who holds what looks like a wheel. Turner took particular interest in the appearance, clothing and activities of the people he saw during his visit to France in 1821, creating in his sketchbooks a repository of French figures for later use (see Tate D24503; Turner Bequest CCLVIII 2v for references).

The sketch at the left edge of the page, drawn with the book turned to the right, has been associated by Ian Warrell with views of Dieppe from the cliffs of Le Pollet to the east.1 It depicts Château de Dieppe.