The harbours of England . ecan now imitate. But the original power ofthe work was for ever destroyed. If thereader will look carefully beneath the whitetouches on the left in this sea, he will dis-cern dimly the form of a round nodding hollowbreaker. This in the early state of the plateis a gaunt, dark, angry wave, rising at theshoal indicated by the buoy;—Mr. Luptonhas fac-similed with so singular skill thescratches of the penknife by which Turnerafterwards disguised this breaker, and spoiledhis picture, that the plate in its present stateis almost as interesting as the touched proof * Not, l
The harbours of England . ecan now imitate. But the original power ofthe work was for ever destroyed. If thereader will look carefully beneath the whitetouches on the left in this sea, he will dis-cern dimly the form of a round nodding hollowbreaker. This in the early state of the plateis a gaunt, dark, angry wave, rising at theshoal indicated by the buoy;—Mr. Luptonhas fac-similed with so singular skill thescratches of the penknife by which Turnerafterwards disguised this breaker, and spoiledhis picture, that the plate in its present stateis almost as interesting as the touched proof * Not, let me say with all due honour to him, the carefuland skilful engraver of these plates, who has been muchmore tormented than helped by Turners alterations. VII. PORTSMOUTH IO3 itself; interesting, however, only as a warn-ing to all artists never to lose hold of theirfirst conception. They may tire even ofwhat is exquisitely right, as they work it out,and their only safety is in the self-denial ofcalm completion. FALMOUTH. VIII.—FALMOUTH This is one of the most beautiful and best-finished plates of the series, and Turner hastaken great pains with the drawing; but it issadly open to the same charges which werebrought against the Dover, of an attempt toreach a false sublimity by magnifying thingsin themselves insignificant. The fact is thatTurner, when he prepared these drawings,had been newly inspired by the scenery ofthe Continent; and with his mind entirelyoccupied by the ruined towers of the Rhine,he found himself called upon to return to theformal embrasures and unappalling elevationsof English forts and hills. But it was im-possible for him to recover the simplicity andnarrowness of conception in which he hadexecuted the drawing of the Southern Coast,or to regain the innocence of delight with 108 THE HARBOURS OF ENGLAND which he had once assisted gravely at thedrying of clothes over the limekiln at CombMartin, or pencilled the woodland outlines ofthe banks of Dartmouth Co
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Keywords: ., bookauthorruskinjo, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookyear1895
