Joseph Mallord William Turner

With the page turned vertically, the main subjects are three studies of ships at sea or in an estuary, possibly made as Turner returned to London from Scotland in 1831 (see the sketchbook’s Introduction), near Newcastle upon Tyne (see under folio 8 recto; D22163) or on the River Thames, as there are also views from Richmond Hill, west of London (see under folio 89 verso; D22316; Turner Bequest CCXXXIX 88a). There are further shipping studies on folio 92 verso opposite (D22322; Turner Bequest CCXXXIX 91a), and a study of a sailing boat on folio 1 recto (D22151). There is a cramped townscape at the centre right, with spires above a bridge, as yet unidentified.