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

With the page turned horizontally, the subject is limited to an isolated study of a cluster of sails, perhaps belonging to two or more boats. They were likely observed in Folkestone Harbour, as tentatively suggested by Finberg;1 they may relate to those in one of the sketches on folio 12 verso opposite (D18864), and there are more boats on the verso (D18866). For Turner’s numerous other Folkestone views in this sketchbook and elsewhere, see under folio 8 recto (D18855), and see the book’s Introduction for discussion of its many shipping studies.