The Great Mew Stone

1813

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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

View by appointment

Artist: Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of: Plymouth, Hamoaze Sketchbook
Medium: Graphite on paper
Dimensions: Support: 95 x 157 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference: D09458
Turner Bequest CXXXI 177 a

Catalogue entry

With the page turned horizontally, this drawing is part of a sequence working in from the back cover of the sketchbook, which correlates with accounts of a voyage Turner and others made from Plymouth south-east to Burgh Island, returning by land towards Plymouth. The sequence begins on folio 275 (D09476; Turner Bequest CXXXI 186a), under which the overall trip is discussed, and may extend as far as folio 228 verso (Tate D09382; Turner Bequest CXXXI 139a).

The sketches between folios 179 verso (D09462; Turner Bequest CXXXI 179a) and 261 verso (D09448; Turner Bequest CXXXI 172a) were made around the Great Mew Stone, south-east of Plymouth Sound, as discussed under D09462. It is seen here from the west off Wembury Point, with the mainland coast beyond.

Matthew Imms
April 2014

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