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

With the page turned horizontally, the view is to the south-west over the harbour at Folkestone, as tentatively suggested by Finberg.1 St Mary and St Eanswythe’s Church stands on the cliff beyond, and there is a continuation at the top left showing the end of the western harbour arm; the basin was later considerably expanded and redeveloped with an additional pier extending into the sea beyond. The viewpoint is elevated, and apparently somewhere off what is now Wear Bay Road, following Turner’s ascent of the low cliffs to the east on folio 11 verso opposite (D18863).

This is among numerous sketches showing aspects of the harbour. For Turner’s other Folkestone views in this sketchbook and elsewhere, see under the view from the harbour itself towards the church on folio 8 recto (D18855).