Joseph Mallord William Turner

Stangate Creek, on the River Medway

c.1823–4

In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

View by appointment
Artist
Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Medium
Watercolour on paper
Dimensions
Support: 162 × 240 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference
D18134
Turner Bequest CCVIII A

Display caption

Like Turner's famous painting of the 'Fighting Temeraire', the composition of this watercolour is divided equally, focusing as much on the watery morning light as on the group of vessels on the right-hand side. One of the strengths of the image lies in the subtle range of reflected colour falling across the water. However, when the image was translated into black and white as a mezzotint, Turner decided to introduce a floating buoy to this open expanse, thereby providing a more tangible resting point for the viewer's eye, a formula he also repeated in the 'Temeraire'.

Gallery label, September 2004

Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.

Catalogue entry

Explore

You might like

In the shop