This luminous watercolour depicts Upnor Castle in Kent and, to the left of the castle, the Naval Dockyard at Chatham. In the scene, Turner included a warship of comparable size to the Temeraire, which had itself been built in this dockyard.

Like The Fighting Temeraire, the watercolour features a sunset (or it may here be a sunrise) of great beauty, warm light reflecting on glass-like still water. Although serene, Turner’s scene is also full of industriousness. Chimneys smoke in the background and the people wading in the shallows are engaged in fishing activity.

Provenance: The Whitworth, The University of Manchester: Lady and Sir Edward Tootal Broadhurst Bequest, 1924

Object description
Type: Easel painting
Location: Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne & Wear
Material: Watercolour and bodycolour with scratching out on paper
Artist: Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851)
Date: 1831-2

Image Details
Date: 19 June 2024
Camera body: iPhone Xs
Lens: Wide Camera 26mm ƒ/1.8
Focal Length: 26mm
Aperture: ƒ/1.8
Shutter Speed: 1/33s
ISO: 400
Licensing: Image of a North East Museums asset. This image cannot be licensed.