Joseph Mallord William Turner R.A.

Charles Stokes (1785-1853);
Anonymous sale, Sotheby's London, 8 April 1998, lot 114

Support: Turner has used a sheet of blue paper which appears to have been laid down onto another sheet or card. The edges are slightly uneven and there appears to be deckled edges on the left and right sides. The two top corners have been replaced and are toned to simulate as near as possible the paper tone. Otherwise the sheet is in a good condition. Medium: The colours are generally bright but there is probably a little fading in the more delicate tints, particularly the red in the sky. Note: This work was viewed behind glass and outside studio conditions. For further information regarding this lot please contact Mark Griffith-Jones (0207 293 5083) or Emmeline Hallmark (0207 293 5407) mark.griffithjones@sothebys.com emmeline.hallmark@sothebys.com
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In this moving seascape a lone steam boat heads out to sea whilst the sun sets beyond. It was painted c. 1835 when Turner was firmly established as Britain's most famous living artist. Turner's most treasured subject matter thoughout his life was the sea and his seascapes often provide his most poignant views.

This newly discovered watercolour belongs to a group of sea and cloud studies in the Turner Bequest dated to the 1830s (TB CCCLXIV nos. 366, 407-12, 417, 419 and 420).  They are all approximately the same size and on the same blue paper. Waves Breaking on Shore (no. 419) is particularly striking in its similarity to the present work, Turner has used the yellow bodycolour in the sea and sky areas, as well as the same blue horizon in both works. 

This watercolour was first owned by Charles Stokes, Turner's close friend and stockbroker. He was also a leading amateur geologist, antiquary, lithographer and collector; he was a fellow of the Geographical Society of London, the Antiquaries and the Royal Society. He was 'almost a universal collector... his rooms exhibit a most picturesque confusion of learned wealth, literary, scientific and artistical.' [1] Stokes collected many of Turner's Southern Coast and Loire watercolours as well as Liber Studiorum prints. 

[1] H.B. Woodward, The History of the Geographical Society of London, Vol. X., London, 1854, pp. XXVI-XXVII, as quoted in M.F. Krause, Turner in Indianapolis, 1997, pp. 175-176.