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

This sheet is one of a series of sketches associated with a tour of the Seine with a proposed dating of 1827–9. The studies are characterised by the use of pen and ink on blue paper; for more information see the Introduction to this section. This drawing is one of a core group documenting the small stretch of the River Seine between St-Germain and Bougival in what art historian Ian Warrell has termed ‘tremendous detail’1.

The setting for this scene, enlivened by numerous figures in the foreground, is Marly on the Seine, with parts of the Marly Machine visible; the machine was built in 1684 to pump water from the Seine to the Palace of Versailles. For further information and a list of other studies of Marly catalogued within this section see D24837 (Turner Bequest CCLX 1).

As with other drawings in this grouping, Turner used a blue paper support as a mid-ground colour, with dark ink delineating the details of the scene and white gouache used for highlights.

Verso:

Blank, save for inscriptions: stamped in black with the Turner Bequest monogram and ‘CCLX–2’ centre; inscribed in pencil ‘cclx–2’ lower centre.