Joseph Mallord William Turner

David Wallace-Hadrill and Janet Carolan have suggested that the middle of the three sketches of shorelines and shipping may show Clackmannan Pow, where the Black Devon river joins the River Forth.1 Wallace-Hadrill has also suggested that the bottom sketch may be of Bo’ness, which is also drawn on folio 24 (D26665). The top sketch depicts a small harbour, with a quay and boats moored alongside or attached to buoys nearby. This may be Grangemouth, situated on the south bank between Bo’ness and Clackmannan. Another option is Dunmore, which has a pier of this shape, though it is a much less significant harbour. There is also a thumbnail sketch at the top centre of the page of distant hills. These have not been identified.

For more information on Turner’s trip along the Firth of Forth, see the inside back cover of this sketchbook (D41132).