Fall of the Tees (?) 1801

Curator: This is a graphite sketch by J.M.W. Turner, possibly titled "Fall of the Tees." It's housed here at the Harvard Art Museums, measuring about 42 by 26 centimeters. Editor: The initial impression is quite ethereal, almost a ghost of a landscape. You can almost feel the chill of the air near the falls. Curator: Turner was, of course, deeply interested in the sublime, and how that experience translated into market demand. This sketch reflects his explorations of industry alongside untouched nature. Editor: There's something about the graphite, its accessibility, that speaks to a directness of vision. Turner seems focused on capturing the essence, without the pretension of oil. Curator: Exactly. It's a study, revealing the artistic labor behind the finished product. These sketches became increasingly important to his legacy in later years. Editor: Seeing this sketch gives a fresh look into the Romantic era's fascination with the landscape, through the very specific lens of Turner's social observations. Curator: A valuable reminder that even sketches carry immense artistic and historical weight. Editor: Indeed, an intimate glimpse into the making of a master.