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

This page features two swiftly outlined sailing vessels near the port of Genoa, which Turner has shown foreshortened and tilting in different directions, as the shaded hulls indicate. His vantage point was likely from another vessel out to sea. Sailing vessels are a recurring feature of the present sketchbook, a reminder of Turner’s keen interest in maritime themes: see also folios 4 verso, 5 recto and verso, 9 recto, 10 recto, 11 recto and 12 verso (D21419–D21421, D21428, D21430, D21432, D21435).

The view terminates to the far right with the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, located in the city’s eastern Carignano district. Variant views of this Renaissance church, a prominent landmark sketched frequently by Turner, appear on folios 4 recto, 6 verso, 9 verso, 10 recto and 16 recto (D21418, D21423, D21429–D21430, D21442).

For a general commentary on Turner’s first visit to Genoa in 1828, together with a list of relevant works in the sketchbook, see under folio 6 verso (D21423).

Technical notes:

The page is divided by a conspicuous horizontal crease, possibly a manufacturing fault.