Boats off Calais. Sailing boats, beautiful marine scene, c1826

by J.M.W. Turner

Antique print after J.M.W. Turner painting.. off Calais.

Superb marine scene engraved by John Cousen (1804-1880), after a painting by the eminent marine artist, J.M.W. Turner, R.A. (1775-1851). Cousen was one of 'Turner's engravers' (despite Cousen's not completing his apprenticeship in 1825, after his master, John Scott's paralytic stroke in 1821). This fine engraving was published in London by Virtue and Company in 1825 (later hand-colour). Larger than the usual steel engravings of the period, Turner approved this series of engravings after his paintings.

Turner’s maritime scenes are some of the finest marine art ever painted. Fortunately, the popularity of his paintings resulted in publication of steel engravings for greater circulation. Turner exhibited at the British Institution between 1806 and 1846 and exhibited at the Royal Academy until 1850. 

Joseph Mallord William Turner, better known as JMW Turner was born in Covent Garden, London on April 23rd 1775. When young, he drew quite skilfully and his barber father hung some of his son's drawings for sale in the barber's shop above which they lived in Maiden Lane, Covent Garden. (Turner's father later became his son's business assistant.) At fourteen Joseph joined the Royal Academy Schools, and in 1790 when he was fifteen, the first of his paintings was accepted by the Academy for hanging in the annual exhibition.

Engraving size is 163 x 245 mm (6 3/8 x 9 5/8 inches)  Page size is 26 x 37cm (10 1/4 x 14 1/2 inches