Joseph Mallord William Turner

Inverted relative to the sketchbook’s foliation, this rapid sketch shows what is probably the view west down to the River Thames from Richmond Hill, with a house and slight indications of figures. Compare the view on folio 89 verso opposite (D18701) and see under folio 5 verso (D18603) for other views in this sketchbook and related works. They are among those which would have generally informed two watercolours: Richmond Hill of about 1825 (Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight),1 engraved in 1826 for the Literary Souvenir (Tate impression: T06132); and Richmond Terrace, Surrey of about 1836 (Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool),2 engraved in 1838 for the Picturesque Views in England and Wales (Tate impressions: T04611, T06128).

At the top right is a slight continuation from a figure study on the opposite page.

Technical notes:

There is a repair to a diagonal tear at the top right and another at the bottom right of the drawing, along the gutter.