Two Fishing Boats Seen from the Shore

1796–7

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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

View by appointment

Artist: Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of: Drawings Related to the ‘Studies near Brighton’ and ‘Wilson’ Sketchbooks, and Other Subjects
Medium
Dimensions: None
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference: D00887
Turner Bequest XXXIII P

Display caption

Turner was a creative painter, constantly striving for new effects and different
ways of doing things. He liked to experiment with various types of paper and coloured grounds. This seascape
has been executed on a white paper prepared with a grey-brown wash.
This has proved particularly effective
for showing a cloudy sky threatening
rain and a churning, cold English sea.

Unfortunately this watercolour has faded, and the background now appears more pinky-brown. The breakers have been picked out in white gouache (opaque watercolour) highlights.

Gallery label, September 2004

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