Joseph Mallord William Turner

With the sketchbook orientated in accordance with the foliation, the uppermost drawing is a continuation of a wide view of Huy from the folio opposite (Tate D19625; Turner Bequest CCXVI 37a). The principal drawing was taken with the sketchbook orientated to landscape format and shows the quayside and a narrow side street next to the arched bridge at Huy. A river barge laden with a cargo of ‘Tiles’ is moored at the dockside; figures converse to the right of the vessel: perhaps they are crew tasked with loading or unloading wares or perhaps they are locals engaged in trade or conversation. Though cursory, this sketch offers the viewer a glimpse of daily life and labour on the banks of the Meuse from a closer perspective than usual, indicating that Turner had disembarked at this point to take to the streets of Huy on foot.