A May morning

This large, highly finished 'exhibition watercolour' shown at the O.W.S in 1843 of a rural village scene in spring possibly depicts somewhere in Turner's native Oxfordshire. It is somewhat of a rediscovery, having only changed ownership once since being executed by the artist and having been in the same family since 1843. The Oxfordshire landscape was a great influence on Turner and he felt a great affinity with the countryside there and with its inhabitants. Indeed, he spurned furthering his career in London, preferring to sell his work from his residence in Oxford, where in fact he gained a great local reputation. Turner travelled widely in the South of England including the Bristol area, and in the late 1830's he completed an artistic tour of the West coast of Scotland. For further works by William Turner please see lots 423 and 424.
Christie's are grateful to Timothy Wilcox for his help in attributing this work.