AFA Winter 2019

Antiques & Fine Art 65 2019 These two works together perfectly encapsulate Turner’s unique place in British art in the early nineteenth century. He was a barber’s son from Covent Garden, born without privilege—and yet his talents gave him access to the elite in British society. These are two of more than one hundred quick watercolor and gouache sketches Turner made on blue paper while visiting his friend and client, the third Earl of Egremont at Petworth House in Sussex in summer 1827. Never intended for public display, if anything, they are a private souvenir of Turner’s visit that could be employed as aides memoire for later work, or simply to recall a happy moment. We assume Turner is the artist being admired, but we don’t know for sure. J.M.W. Turner (1775–1851), The Artist and his Admirers, 1827 . Watercolor and bodycolor on paper, 138 x 190 mm. Tate: Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856 © Tate, 2019. J.M.W. Turner (1775–1851), Sunset across the Park from the Terrace of Petworth House, 1827. Gouache and watercolor on paper, 140 x 193 mm. Tate: Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856 © Tate, 2019.