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

The reading of Turner’s heavy inscription on the notebook’s ready-made white label is hampered by his customary uneven handwriting, the variable strength of the ink, and subsequent staining. It looks to have been written at one sitting, with the last of three horizontal lines continued up the right-hand edge. The central line may be a financial note or to do with dates and/or times, and the last apparently relates to the artist’s return from this tour by way of Rotterdam, of which there are numerous pencil sketches (see under folio 14 recto; D32568; CCCXXII 15). It perhaps includes the name of a ship, which Finberg tentatively rendered as ‘Dauphins’.1

The first line is the clearest, noting a ‘John Hardwick’, although in what connection remains a matter for speculation. The reference may be to the brother of the architect Philip Hardwick, RA (1792–1870), who was a friend of Turner’s and subsequently one of his executors.2 They were the sons of the architect Thomas Hardwick, in whose office Turner had likely worked briefly as a youth.3 John (1790–1875) was at this time a stipendiary magistrate in Lambeth, London.4 It is possible that through his connection with Philip, Turner sought John’s advice ahead of a hearing before the Lord Mayor of London (concerning an alleged breach of the artist’s engraving copyright)5 on 15 October 1833, shortly after his return from this tour, although he generally employed the London solicitor George Cobb.6

Technical notes:

There is rust-coloured staining over the bottom left of the label, affecting part of the inscription, and the adjacent paste-paper cover, possibly caused by spillage from a glass or other receptacle.