Dear yallourne-ga,
In terms of the existence of a picture or image, researchers are
reluctant to answer definitively a question like this as the internet
does not list all the catalogues of all the art collections and
picture libraries in the world. The answer appears to be no, but there
is always an chance of an previously un-catalogued, unidentified
painting or picture in existence, or that it does not appear on the
internet. However, I have discovered that it has been suggested by Ian
Warrell of the Curatorial Department, Tate Collection, in London, that
there may be unattributed sketches of Booth in the Tate Collection.
After Turner?s death his estate was settled and the art works found in
his studio were granted to the British nation. This became known as
the ?Turner?s Bequest?. The collection numbers almost 300 oil
paintings and approximately 30,000 sketches and watercolours. The
bequest is now at the Tate Gallery in London. The Tate is liasing with
other art collections throughout the world to compile a worldwide
catalogue of Turner?s works. The worldwide catalogue is available
on-line. I have searched it and there is no portrait with the name
Sophia or Sophia Booth in the title. There are several drawings in his
sketch books which feature woman but none are named as Sophia.
To search click on Advance Search and select All Turners
http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/BrowseGroup?cgroupid=999999998
"The Turner catalogue is designed to be a first stop for information
on Turner's paintings, watercolours and drawings. The standard
catalogues, Andrew Wilton's The Life and Work of J.M.W. Turner (1979)
and Martin Butlin and Evelyn Joll's The Paintings of J.M.W. Turner
(revised 1984), covering the watercolours and oil paintings
respectively, are cited, but many other works are included which were
outside the scope of these books or unknown at that time."
http://www.tate.org.uk/collections/in_tww.htm
"Turner Worldwide is an ongoing project. It includes records for oil
paintings, watercolours and drawings and aims to provide colour images
for as many as possible through partnerships with other institutions
and private collectors. Where no ownership details are currently
listed, the owner is actively being sought. Should you have
information on the ownership of any work in the ?untraced? category,
many of which have not been seen for decades or longer, please contact
us." http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/BrowseGroup?cgroupid=999999953
I have also searched the National Portrait Gallery in London, the next
most likely place for a portrait, but again there is not one. I have
also conducted several searches with different search engines without
success. I have also searched a number of art libraries and
collections.
As mentioned above, Ian Warrell of the Curatorial Department, Tate
Collection, theorises that there may be sketches of Booth in the Tate
Collection. It is referred to in this Guardian newspaper article.
?Meanwhile, the speculation about Turner's sex life, which so appalled
Ruskin, continues. The painter never married, and had no acknowledged
children. Mr Warrell believes many drawings, including a tender study
of a sleeping woman, may represent Sophia Booth, the Margate seaside
boarding house landlady with whom he is sure Turner had a long sexual
relationship.?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1381143,00.html
The sleeping woman referred to appears here in the Tate Collection
http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/ViewWork?workid=63204&searchid=14705
The newspaper article refers to Warrell?s article in the British Art
Journal. This is the full title.
Exploring the "Dark Side". Ruskin and the Problem of Turner's
Erotica', British Art Journal, vol.IV, no.1, Spring 2003, pp.5-14.
http://www.tate.org.uk/abouttate/tatereport/2004/publishing/staff.htm
The journal is subscriber only, and as yet has not made back copies
available on their web site. You may have to go to a good art library
to view this journal.
http://britishartjournal.webstores.uk.com/default.asp?fid=0,44&nm=44~BAJ.xml
I hope this answers your question. If it does not, or the answer is
unclear, then please ask for clarification of this research before
rating the answer. I shall respond to the clarification request as
soon as I receive it.
Thank you
answerfinder |
