The artwork titled “Scarborough Town and Castle. Morning. Boys Catching Crabs” by J.M.W. Turner was created in 1811. Executed in watercolor on paper, the piece belongs to the Romanticism movement and measures 101.6 x 68.7 cm. This genre painting is part of a private collection.
The artwork depicts a serene coastal scene in the morning light. In the foreground, several boys are engaged in the activity of catching crabs on the beach. Their movements and postures suggest a sense of excitement and engagement with their task. Rocks and wooden remnants frame the left side of the scene, adding a rugged texture to the sandy shore. To the right, a large sailing ship is anchored, its masts towering against the soft, pastel sky. In the midground, additional ships are visible on the calm sea, leading the viewer’s eye toward the distant, ethereal outline of Scarborough Town and the imposing silhouette of its castle atop a hill. The use of delicate, translucent washes of color creates a luminous atmosphere, capturing the gentle morning light and the tranquil beauty of the seaside landscape.
