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

D32138, D32143, D32149, D32169, D32211–D32216, D32234, D40159

Turner Bequest CCCXVI 1, 6, 12, 32, CCCXVII 26–31, CCCXVIII 15

This grouping of miscellaneous Venetian colour studies comprises views of the renowned Grand Canal from just north of the Rialto Bridge, along the reach to its west, and towards the entrance to the Bacino at its south-eastern end. As arranged in the present catalogue alongside a larger grouping of waterfront views around the Bacino itself and along the broader Giudecca and San Marco canals, the subjects complement the watercolours in the contemporary Grand Canal and Giudecca sketchbook (Tate; Turner Bequest CCCXV).

The works here are on a variety of white, buff and grey papers, as discussed in their individual technical notes; see also the Introduction to the tour. Those on the first two types have a more provisional air, capturing seemingly precise, fleeting effects of sunlight and shadow, and may have been at least partly coloured as Turner drew from a boat. The grey-paper subjects appear more considered, and are taken to a higher albeit selective degree of finish; they all show views in the vicinity of the imposing Palazzo Grimani on the south side of the Grand Canal, both from the canal itself (D32212–D32213; CCCXVII 27, 28) or a short way down the Rio di San Luca, running south along the west side of the palace (D32214–D32216; CCCXVII 29–31).