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

ISBN 978-1-84976-386-8
J.M.W. Turner > 1787-1801 Student and master > Oxford c.1787-91 > Oxford and Other Subjects > Artwork

Joseph Mallord William Turner Wanstead New Church 1789-90

Image 1 of 2
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Wanstead New Church’ 1789-90
Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Wanstead New Church 1789–90
D00051
Turner Bequest IV A
Pencil and watercolour on white wove paper, 216 x 317 mm
Watermark ‘ J WHATMAN’
Squared for transfer and inscribed by Turner in pencil with numerals ‘2’ to ‘13’ along top edge of grid, ‘Ionici’ (sic) near the cupola of the church, and ‘Sum’ or ‘Turn’ towards top right
Blind-stamped with Turner Bequest monogram
Stamped in black ‘IV A’ bottom right
Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Turner was employed briefly in the office of the architect Thomas Hardwick, who was responsible for this church. It was consecrated 24 June 1790; cf.. the sketch of Old Isleworth Church in the Oxford sketchbook (Tate D00040; Turner Bequest II 22). A finished watercolour (presumably based on this drawing but oval, 298 x 419 mm) was executed for Hardwick, and descended to P.C. Hardwick; sale Christie’s, London, 9 April 1920 (148); to D.C. Thomson. Both this and a watercolour of Wanstead Old Church (untraced) were exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1887, lent by P. Hardwick. Turner made other drawings for Hardwick, including one of Wanstead Old Church, likewise in an oval, and one of Lambeth Palace (see Oxford sketchbook study: Tate D00038; Turner Bequest II 21).
The sheet also includes studies of mouldings, and blue colour trials at the lower right.
Technical notes:
The sheet was formerly laid down. The principal design has been washed with fixative.
Verso:
Blank; a strip of watercolour visible along left edge; stamped in brown ink with Turner Bequest monogram; the watercolour strip presumably part of a study on a section of the sheet that has been cut away.

Andrew Wilton
April 2012

How to cite

Andrew Wilton, ‘Wanstead New Church 1789–90 by Joseph Mallord William Turner’, catalogue entry, April 2012, in David Blayney Brown (ed.), J.M.W. Turner: Sketchbooks, Drawings and Watercolours, Tate Research Publication, December 2012, https://www.tate.org.uk/art/research-publications/jmw-turner/joseph-mallord-william-turner-wanstead-new-church-r1140109, accessed 24 November 2024.