Turner's Last Sketchbook

This facsimile showcases the last known intact sketchbook of J. M. W. Turner, featuring his coastal sketches and accompanied by reflections from Tracey Emin.

This beautifully produced facsimile captures the essence of the last known intact sketchbook by J. M. W. Turner. Renowned for his artistic genius, Turner (1775–1851) was never seen without a sketchbook in hand. Throughout his life, he filled over three hundred sketchbooks, many of which were pocket-sized for convenience. The sketchbook featured in Turner's Last Sketchbook is a remarkable representation of his work during a specific period in 1845, as he traveled the coast of the English Channel in Kent, particularly around Margate, from June to September.

Accompanying this exquisite volume is a poignant poem by Tracey Emin, who shares her deep emotional connection to Turner's art. Growing up in Margate, the same seaside town that Turner frequently visited, Emin's reflections add a personal touch to the presentation of the sketchbook. Her words resonate with the themes of nostalgia and artistic inspiration that permeate Turner's sketches.

The layout of Turner's Last Sketchbook is thoughtfully designed, featuring generous margins and blank pages that invite readers to engage with the artistic process. This encourages further sketches, embodying the spirit of creativity that Turner so passionately embraced. Distributed for the Yale Center for British Art, this facsimile serves as a tribute to Turner's legacy and an invitation for contemporary artists to explore their own creativity.