Joseph Mallord William Turner

This is one of a group of watercolour studies of Thames scenery that occupy some of the later folios of the sketchbook; see chiefly 38 verso (D05833) and Introduction to the book for comment. Edward Croft-Murray, in a pencil annotation to a copy of Finberg in the Tate Library, identified the subject as ‘Kew’ while Hill prefers Isleworth, comparing it to a watercolour formerly in the Thames from Reading to Walton sketchbook (Tate D05953; Turner Bequest XCV 49) with similar scenery, barges and punts. A rainbow appears, probably also near Isleworth, on folio 42 verso (D05840). Hill notes the fitful and stormy weather during the summer of 1805.1