Joseph Mallord William Turner

Dover Castle

1822

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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

View by appointment

Artist: Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Medium: Watercolour, graphite and gouache on paper
Dimensions: Support: 475 x 682 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference: D25502
Turner Bequest CCLXIII 378

Display caption

In 1822 Turner and the engraver William Cooke contemplated producing a series of engraved scenes of marine scenery. One of the first of the new watercolours produced for this 'Marine Views' project was a view of Dover Castle from the sea, included in the exhibition at Cooke's Gallery in December 1822, and based on the preparatory study exhibited here. The other large colour study shown here relates to a watercolour (now in the British Museum) which depicts a fierce storm and shipwreck. The view of Folkestone is more finished, but is probably another subject intended for the group of 'Marine Views'.

Gallery label, August 2004

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