PRESENTATION ~O~ The discovery of JMW Turner's oil on canvas exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1793 ~O~ PRESENTATION

Study of 'The St. Vincent's Rock Oil'

'The St. Vincent's Rock Oil' picture is an oil on canvas. Visual inspection suggests that it dates from late 18th or early 19th century.

This is a view of a rocky inlet seen from the shore with waves crashing into an overhanging rock on the right.
On the left two boats are heeled over towards the right with pennants extended in the wind. Figures, probably fishermen, on board are struggling to bring the boats in to shore.
In the lower right corner a group of figures appear to be preparing to give assistance.
Clouds and spray are billowing in the breeze. Overhead a break in the clouds reveals blue sky lit by hidden sun from behind the viewer.
Waves breaking against the rocks are splashing and foaming behind the figures on the right and ominous brown mists are rising on the horizon suggesting that a storm may be approaching.
Characteristic rock formations from Turner’s watercolour, 'Back View of the Hot Wells, Bristol' appear on the right

There is little, stylistically, to link it to Turner's later oils. This, however, is to be expected: Those who knew Turner's later works and saw Turner's early oils described the early oils as, 'Differing in every quality from the characteristics of his present works.' (B&J Cat. No.538 (Italian Landscape) 1835)

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