J.M.W. Turner: Sketchbooks, Drawings and Watercolours

This is one of a large group of separate studies, most of which were made in gouache and watercolour on blue paper, associated with a visit to Petworth House in West Sussex, the home of the third Earl of Egremont. For more information, see the Introduction to this section.

It has been suggested that setting for this scene is Petworth’s White Library, the well-used drawing room in which guests gathered both before and after dinner;1 for more information about Turner’s numerous studies of this room, see the entry for Tate D22678 (Turner Bequest CCXLIV 16). In the case of this and another study (Tate D22709; Turner Bequest CCXLIV 47), which may show the same male figure seen here, there is insufficient detail to allow the scene to be connected to a specific room. However, through Turner’s studies the White Library is revealed as the social hub of the house, perhaps making it the likeliest setting.

Verso:

Blank, save for inscriptions: inscribed in pencil ‘17 a’ near centre; inscribed in pencil ‘L 35 o’ bottom right; stamped in black with the Turner Bequest monogram and CCXLIV 44’ bottom left.