Joseph Mallord William Turner

Waves Breaking, Scarborough

c.1816–18

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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

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Artist: Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of: Scarborough 1 Sketchbook
Medium: Graphite on paper
Dimensions: Support: 117 × 180 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference: D11950
Turner Bequest CL 31

Catalogue entry

This sketch is the second study of breaking waves in this sketchbook, preceded (as folio 4) by D11951; Turner Bequest CL 32. It was probably taken from a similar viewpoint near the jetty of Scarborough Harbour, in this case looking north-east, out to sea. Finberg and Agnew’s drew attention to the similarity of the waves in these two sketches to those depicted in a finished watercolour of Scarborough dated 1818 (private collection).1 However, the resemblance is general rather than specific.

Wilton 1979, p.360 no.529.

Verso:

Blank, except for an inscription by ?John Ruskin in red ink ‘168 I’ bottom left (see notes to folio 3, D11945; Turner Bequest CL 26) , and by an unknown hand in blue pencil ‘225’ towards centre.

David Hill
September 2008

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