Martello Towers near Bexhill, Sussex (Liber Studiorum, part VII, plate 34) 1811

This etching by Joseph Mallord William Turner is part of his “Liber Studiorum,” a series intended to demonstrate the range of landscape art. Turner, who lived through a period of intense social and political change, presents us here with more than just a picturesque scene. The Martello towers themselves are physical manifestations of geopolitical tension. Built as defensive structures against potential Napoleonic invasion, they stand as silent witnesses to England’s military past. On the beach we see figures, perhaps local fishermen, their lives intertwined with the landscape and the looming towers. Turner highlights the relationship between people and the spaces they inhabit. He asks us to consider how histories of conflict and defense shape the everyday lives of individuals and communities. In this seemingly serene landscape, Turner subtly reminds us of the complex layers of history that are embedded in the land.