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

With the page turned vertically, there are five views running down from the top (outer) edge, showing the coast around Boulogne, looking east from the Channel. In the first, the only prominent landmark is the Colonne de la Grande Armée on the heights north of the port; compare the sketch on folio 1 recto (D19401), where the subject’s relationship with others in this sketchbook and elsewhere are noted. The upper study on folio 6 recto (D19411) also seems to show the column. The small rectangular feature below to the left is likely the lost Fort de la Crèche, north of Boulogne’s harbour mouth (see under folio 8 verso; D19416).

Below, the remaining bands show variations of the scene around the harbour, with windmills high on the left, slight indications of the Belfry (the Beffroi) and walls of the elevated old town or haute ville and the spire of St Nicholas’s Church, and the framework of the lost telegraph tower at the seaward end of the western pier, seen in various other sketches in this book; compare in particular the detailed prospect inland from beside the tower on folios 19 verso–20 recto (D19434–D19435). There are similar sketches from nearer to it on folio 8 recto opposite (D19415).