Joseph Mallord William Turner

Feather Few and Buttercup Plants

c.1808–18

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Artist: Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of: Liber Notes (2) Sketchbook [Finberg CLIV a]
Medium: Graphite on paper
Dimensions: Support: 112 x 89 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference: D12135
Turner Bequest CLIV a 8

Catalogue entry

Turner made these studies of plants in isolation, with the page turned vertically. The main drawing shows feverfew or feather few (Tanacetum parthenium or Pyrethrum parthenium). At the bottom right is a buttercup (Ranunculus). Each plant is accompanied by a diagram of one of its leaves. There are other botanical studies on folios 5 recto, 7 recto and 9 recto (D12131, D12133, D12136).

Technical notes:

There seems to be no sign of John Ruskin’s usual red ink foliation; there are such numbers on most of the later pages (see the Introduction to the sketchbook).

There is an irregular, pale brown stain affecting most of the page, mirrored on folio 7 verso opposite (D12135); it also shows through on the verso.

Verso:

Blank

Matthew Imms
September 2013

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