The present picture would appear to depict a scene in the New Forest - a favourite setting of Turner's, and a date of about 1825-35 seems likely. In 1826 he exhibited 'New Forest, Hants' at the Royal Academy and, in 1827, 'A scene near Lyndhurst, New Forest' at the British Institution. Perhaps the most likely possibility for the present picture is lot 215 from the artist's studio sale at Christie's on 9 March 1863: 'A View in the New Forest, Hampshire, with cattle and figures' (5½ gns. to Buckley).

We are grateful to Timothy Wilcox for his assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.