FISHING BOATS OFF THE KENT COAST

Fishing Boats off the Kent Coast
oil on panel 253mm x 345mm,10"x13½"
inscribed with title ['fishing boats in a stiff breeze' ?] and date 1805
press reports do not make clear whether the inscription included a signature
location of scene: Ramsgate and Margate

This picture is of interest because it is disputed in circumstances clouded with confusion. We have only press reports and the details above are therefore unreliable. The picture appears to have been owned by Jonathan Weal from whom it was seized in bankruptcy by the receiver on the basis that it was genuine. (A genuine Turner and identical to 'Fishing Boats in a Stiff Breeze', the Trimmer picture). However, it was dismissed by 'experts' and said to be worthless. The dismissal was irrational (literally without reason) and no information is given as to either party's claim to provenance. What makes it of possible greater interest is the reported inscription. If the inscription was written at the time Turner gave away or sold the picture then the picture itself could be substantially older and fall back into the 1795 period.

'Fishing Boats in a Stiff Breeze', Trimmer's picture

'Fishing Boats in a Rough Sea' is close in size at 9"x13¼" is but is definitely a canvas so it is not this picture.

This is an image of FISHING BOATS OFF THE KENT COAST

The image (press image) appears to have been cropped top and bottom.

This is 'Seascape with a Squall Coming up' oil on canvas 457mm x 609mm 1803/04 B&J 143; in Fuji Museum, Tokyo.