Joseph Mallord William Turner

With the page turned horizontally, Turner has made two rapid sketches of groupings of figures, apparently at leisure on or overlooking a beach. There seem to be women and children1 among them, and perhaps a dog at the top right. Not everyone is unoccupied, as there is a note of a catch of fish being cleaned at the bottom right. There are related studies on folio 39 recto opposite (D22506), with a similar note. For other studies definitely or perhaps made at Margate in this sketchbook, see the Introduction.

The significance of the note of a figure and specific date, inscribed independently of the drawings, is unclear, but is presumably financial. Assuming it was written on or around the date mentioned, it is among the very few clues to the dating of the sketchbook; see the Introduction.