Joseph Mallord William Turner

Figure and Costume Studies; Hills with Distant Buildings, Possibly Including a View of Chiari

1819

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Not on display

Artist
Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of
Milan to Venice Sketchbook
Medium
Graphite on paper
Dimensions
Support: 185 × 112 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference
D14371
Turner Bequest CLXXV 30

Catalogue entry

The various landscape and figure studies here were all made with the page turned vertically. Finberg subsequently annotated his 1909 Inventory entry (‘Various figures and landscapes. “Chiara,” &c.’): ‘“Sidiolli Chiasa. [?Abria] lagato Prigolla”. Chiara, btwn Milan & Brescia’.1 Chiari (sic) indeed lies between the two cities on Turner’s route (see respectively under folios 2 recto and 19 recto; D14328, D14352), leaving this study somewhat out of sequence if the reading is correct. The other apparent place names, written rather shakily and likely while in motion, have so far eluded clear identification.
The annotated figure and head studies seem to represent women only, although several hats are accompanied with a note on men’s styles. For other figure studies in this sketchbook, see under folio 18 verso (D14351). The very slight drawing at the top left may show a wagon and animals.
1
Undated MS note by A.J. Finberg (died 1939) in interleaved copy of Finberg 1909, Tate Britain Prints and Drawings Room, I, opposite p.512.
Verso:
Blank

Matthew Imms
March 2017

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