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

This drawing is part of a group of sketches of boats which were formerly all on one sheet (Tate D17763–D17766; Turner Bequest CCIII F–I).1 Finberg lists the present drawing and others in this group as possible studies for the Rivers of England watercolour The Mouth of the River Humber (Tate D18151; Turner Bequest CCVIII R).2

Parts of two vessels are depicted here. The section of hull represented in the foregrounded boat resembles that of the Billy-boy river barge in the Humber design. The arresting diagonal sweep and span of the sail evokes the strength and velocity of the wind as sailors to the left congregate to control the rigging. Turner’s handling is fine and deliberate, the delineation of the mast and hull particularly so. The second vessel is more roughly rendered; its masts and billowing sails can be seen as well as the crew.