Joseph Mallord William Turner

This study was made with the page turned horizontally. The note ‘Do’ (for ‘Ditto’), refers to folio 36 verso opposite (D04972; Turner Bequest LXXXI 70), with its inscription ‘Our Situation at Calais Bar’, which in its turn refers to the drawing inscribed ‘Our landing at Calais nearly swampt’ on folios 30 verso–31 recto (D04960–D04961; Turner Bequest LXXXI 58–59).

Further drawings in the sequence are that inscribed ‘My landing at Calais’ on folios 38 verso–39 recto (D04976–D04977; Turner Bequest LXXXI 74–75), and that on the following spread, folios 39 verso–40 recto (D04978–D04979; Turner Bequest LXXXI 76–77), which is in turn marked ‘Do’. Whereas the study opposite (D04972) shows a small boat on its own, this one (like the two latter) introduces a larger vessel nearby, bringing the subject matter closer to that of Calais Pier, with French Poissards Preparing for Sea: An English Packet Arriving (National Gallery, London),1 the important painting that Turner sent to the Royal Academy exhibition in 1803.