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

Ian Warrell has identified the sketch at the top of the page as a view along the coast from Dieppe.1 It is possible that the first inscription beneath the subject refers to Bracquemont, a commune one mile to the east of Dieppe along the coast, in which case the letter before the second inscription may be ‘n’, meaning: near Dieppe. The harbour of Dieppe is depicted in the second sketch with various groupings of figures scattered around. At the bottom of the page are eleven figure studies. Turner has paid attention to the regional dress of Normandy, especially of women and soldiers. Many of the figures are engaged in activities: a woman laying a cloth on the ground, a figure with a cat under her left arm, a woman carrying a basket on her back, and another carrying a large vessel or bundle. Colours, or the letters ‘P’ (pink or purple) and ‘B’ (black or blue), are inscribed next to particular items of clothing. Many of Turner’s sketches of Dieppe harbour include figures, and there are figure studies scattered throughout the sketchbook.

For references to Turner’s other sketches of Dieppe made on this tour, see folio 1 verso (D24501; Turner Bequest CCLVIII 1v).