JOSEPH MALLORD WILLIAM TURNER, R.A. | Merton College, Oxford, from the meadows

John Edward Taylor (1830-1905);
his executor's sale, London, Christie's, 8 July 1912, lot 105, bt. Agnew's on behalf of John Edward Taylor Allen (1864-1919), John Edward Taylor’s nephew;
thence by family descent to the present owner  

London, Agnew's, Exhibition of water-colour drawings by Turner, Cox, and de Wint, 1924, no. 73;
London, Agnew's, Centenary Exhibition of water colour drawings by J.M.W. Turner, 1951, no. 16;
London, Agnew's, 150^th Anniversary Exhibition, 1967, no. 36;
Wakefield, Wakefield Art Galleries and Museums, 1988 (on loan)

A.J. Finberg, A Complete Inventory of the Drawings of the Turner Bequest…, vol. 1, London 1909, pp. 123-4;
A. Wilton, The Life and Work of J.M.W. Turner, Fribourg 1979, p. 346, no. 408

Support This watercolour is well preserved. Turner has used subtle colours in the work and although they may have softened a little, in general they retain their original hues. Turner has inscribed the work in ink on the verso at the extreme upper right hand corner. On the recto, this writing can just be seen. Summary This watercolour is in a good condition.
"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 tranquil watercolour, Turner stands in the water meadows which form part of the grounds of Magdalen College, Oxford. He looks to the south-west, towards the city center, showing Merton College on the left, with the tower of the College Chapel framed by large trees. To the right, the spire of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin pierces the sky, while to its right, the dome of the Radcliffe Camera can just be made out. Painted on a sheet of wove paper which is watermarked: 1794 / J Whatman, the watercolour once formed part of the so-called Smaller Fonthill Sketchbook.¹ Despite its name, Turner mainly used this album during his tour of Scotland in 1801, but it also contains a number of ‘on-the-spot’ studies of Oxford, which may date from two or three years earlier.

This watercolour once belonged to John Edward Taylor (1830-1905) and has not been made available for sale since his executor’s sale at Christie’s in July 1912. For further information on J.E. Taylor please see lot 405. We are very grateful to Ian Warrell for his help when cataloguing this lot.

1. Tate, Britain, Turner Bequest XLVIII