Joseph Mallord William Turner

On the right are two studies, one rather slight, probably showing the same moored warship; see also those on the verso (D18067), and compare the vessel in the 1827 painting Shipping off East Cowes Headland (Tate N01999).1 There seem to be indications of the sails of a yacht at the centre of the page, eclipsed by the sketches of two bonneted women (or the same woman twice) seated in rather ungainly poses at the bottom left. Like those on folio 19 recto (D18024) they may be attempting to preserve their modesty against the breeze while watching the yacht racing depicted on many adjacent pages. Compare also the seated figure on folio 6 verso (D18001). For more on studies in this sketchbook relating to the regatta events at Cowes from late July 1827 onwards, see the sketchbook Introduction.