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

Engraved:
By William Miller in 1834, published in 1835.

In this watercolour, Turner presents a view of the town of Melun, located in the south-eastern suburbs of Paris, France. Melun is situated on an island and over both banks of the River Seine. Turner gives shape to the scene with colour. The tranquil water in the foreground is conveyed in gentle tones of turquoise and umber. The shaded area behind is depicted in cool lilacs and violets, which subtly contrast with the delicate salmon tones of flame from the steamer funnel, and the yellow sky above it. The scene is one of activity, inhabited by figures and boats, yet the still waters and soft colours give a sense of calm. Two silhouetted figures left of lower centre provide a contrasting focal point for the viewer.

The watercolour is based on pencil sketches (Tate D24316,1 D24318–D24321;2 Turner Bequest CCLVII 76a, 77a–79) in Turner’s Paris and Environs sketchbook from 1832.

An engraving was made of this watercolour by William Miller in 1834, as Melun (Tate impressions T04725 and T06263) for the volume Wanderings by the Seine of 1835.3 The disk of the sun is made apparent in the engraving.

Verso:

Previous records note inscriptions in gouache ‘[1]9 Melun’ and in pencil ‘19’; however, the back is currently covered by a closed mount and simply marked ‘No image on the back. Inscription 9 Melun’.